Oh, glory be to goodness! we will have a time. Isn't it worth
anything to see that blessed trunk? My eyes can almost pierce through
the deal and see the lovely garments folded away inside."
Alice took no notice; she marched on to her room. Kathleen followed her.
"The boys shall bring it up for me immediately after dinner," she said.
"I sha'n't be going out again until I go to Mrs. Weldon's. I expect
people will open their eyes when they see me to-night."
"You must please yourself, of course," said Alice. "For my part, I am
extremely sorry that the trunk has come. You were settling down a
little, and were not quite so objectionable as at first."
"Thanks _awfully_, darling," said Kathleen, dropping a mock curtsy.
"Not quite so objectionable," continued Alice in a calm voice. "But now,
with all these silly gewgaws, you will be worse titan ever. But please
clearly understand that I do not want any of your ornaments."
"Don't trouble yourself, darling; they were not made for you. I force my
treasures on nobody."
"I wouldn't wear them if you were to give them. I hope I have some
proper pride."
"Pride of the _most_ proper sort," said Kathleen, dancing before her.
"And I do hope, also, that you won't make yourself a merry-andrew or a
figure of fun at the Weldons' to-night. It will be in extremely bad
taste. We are not going to have a large party--just one or two of the
mistresses and little Ruth Craven, who, although she is a foundationer,
seems to be a very nice sort of child.
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