Dolly allowed her mates to believe she was to be the Queen of
Hearts, but privately laid hold of certain brocades worn by a trim
grandmother half a century ago, and one evening burst upon her
brother in a charming "Little Bo-Peep" costume, which, for the
benefit of future distressed damsels, may be described as a "white
silk skirt, scarlet overdress neatly bundled up behind," as ancient
ladies expressed it, blue hose with red clocks, high-heeled shoes
with silver buckles, a nosegay in the tucker, and a fly-way hat
perched in this case on the top of black curls, which gave
additional archness to Dolly's face as she entered, singing that
famous ditty.
Dick surveyed her with approval, turning her about like a lay
figure, and expressing his fraternal opinion that she was "the
sauciest little turn-out he ever saw," and then wet-blanketed the
remarks by adding, "Of course you don't call it a disguise, do you?
and don't flatter yourself that you won't be known; for Dolly Ward
is as plainly written in every curl, bow, and gimcrack, as if you
wore a label on your back."
"Then I shan't wear it;" and off went the hat at one fell blow, as
Dolly threw her crook in one corner, her posy in another, and sat
down an image of despair.
"Now don't be a goose, and rip everything to bits; just wear a
domino over all, as Fan is going to, and then, when you've had fun
enough, take it off and do the pretty. It will make two rigs, you
see, and bother the boys to your heart's content.
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