“O PRIS, Pris, I’m really going! Here’s the invitation—rough paper—Chapel1—spreads—Lyceum Hall—everything splendid; and Jack2 to take care of me!”
As Kitty burst into the room and performed a rapturous pas seul, waving the cards over her head, sister Priscilla looked up from her work with a smile of satisfaction on her quiet face.
“Who invites you, dear?”
“Why, Jack, of course,—dear old cousin Jack. Nobody else ever thinks of me, or cares whether I have a bit of pleasure now and then. Isn’t he kind? Mayn’t I go? and, O Pris, what shall I wear?”
Kitty paused suddenly, as if the last all-important question had a solemnizing effect upon both mind and body.
“Why, your white muslin, silk sacque, and new hat, of course,” began Pris with an air of surprise. But Kitty broke in impetuously,—
“I’ll never wear that old muslin again; it’s full of darns, up to my knees, and all out of fashion. So is my sacque; and as for my hat, though it does well enough here, it would be absurd for Class Day.”
“You don’t expect an entirely4 new suit for this occasion,—do you?” asked Pris, anxiously.
“Yes, I do, and I’ll tell you how I mean to get it. I’ve planned everything; for, though I hardly dreamed of going, I amused myself by thinking how I could manage if I did get invited.”
“Let us hear.” And Pris took up her work with an air of resignation.
“First, my dress,” began Kitty, perching herself on the arm of the sofa, and entering into the subject with enthusiasm. “I’ve got the ten dollars grandpa sent me, and with eight of it I’m going to buy Lizzie King’s organdie muslin. She got it in Paris; but her aunt providentially—no, unfortunately—died; so she can’t wear it, and wants to get rid of it. She is bigger than I am, you know; so there is enough for a little mantle5 or sacque, for it isn’t made up. The skirt is cut off and gored6, with a splendid train—”
“My dear, you don’t mean you are going to wear one of those absurd, new-fashioned dresses?” exclaimed Pris, lifting hands and eyes.
“I do! Nothing would induce me to go to Class Day without a train. It’s been the desire of my heart to have one, and now I will, if I never have another gown to my back!” returned Kitty, with immense decision.
Pris shook her head, and said, “Go on!” as if prepared for any extravagance after that.
“We can make it ourselves,” continued Kitty, “and trim it with the same. It’s white with blue stripes and daisies in the stripes; the loveliest thing you ever saw, and can’t be got here. So simple, yet distingué, I know you’ll like it. Next, my bonnet7,”—here the solemnity of Kitty’s face and manner was charming to behold8. “I shall make it out of one of my new illusion undersleeves. I’ve never worn them; and the puffed9 part will be a plenty for a little fly-away bonnet of the latest style. I’ve got blue ribbons to tie it with, and have only to look up some daisies for the inside. With my extra two dollars I shall buy my gloves, and pay my fares,—and there I am, all complete.”
She looked so happy, so pretty, and full of girlish satisfaction, that sister Pris couldn’t bear to disturb the little plan, much as she disapproved10 of it. They were poor, and every penny had to be counted. There were plenty of neighbors to gossip and criticize, and plenty of friends to make disagreeable remarks on any unusual extravagance. Pris saw things with the prudent11 eyes of thirty, but Kitty with the romantic eyes of seventeen; and the elder sister, in the kindness of her heart, had no wish to sadden life to those bright young eyes, or deny the child a harmless pleasure. She sewed thoughtfully for a minute, then looked up, saying, with the smile that always assured Kitty the day was won,—
“Get your things together, and we will see what can be done. But remember, dear, that it is both bad taste and bad economy for poor people to try to ape the rich.”
“You’re a perfect angel, Pris; so don’t moralize. I’ll run and get the dress, and we’ll begin at once, for there is much to do, and only two days to do it in.” And Kitty skipped away, singing “Lauriger Horatius,” at the top of her voice. Priscilla soon found that the girl’s head was completely turned by the advice and example of certain fashionable young neighbors. It was in vain for Pris to remonstrate12 and warn.
“Just this once let me do as others do, and thoroughly13 enjoy myself,” pleaded Kitty; and Pris yielded, saying to herself, “She shall have her wish, and if she learns a lesson, neither time nor money will be lost.”
So they snipped14 and sewed, and planned and pieced, going through all the alternations of despair and triumph, worry and satisfaction, which women undergo when a new suit is under way. Company kept coming, for news of Kitty’s expedition had flown abroad, and her young friends must just run in to hear about it, and ask what she was going to wear; while Kitty was so glad and proud to tell, and show, and enjoy her little triumph that many half hours were wasted, and the second day found much still to do.
The lovely muslin didn’t hold out, and Kitty sacrificed the waist to the train, for a train she must have or the whole thing would be an utter failure. A little sacque was eked15 out, however, and when the frills were on, it was “ravishing,” as Kitty said, with a sigh of mingled16 delight and fatigue17. The gored skirt was a fearful job, as any one who has ever plunged18 into the mysteries will testify; and before the facing, even experienced Pris quailed19.
The bonnet also was a trial, for when the lace was on, it was discovered that the ribbons didn’t match the dress. Here was a catastrophe20! Kitty frantically21 rummaged22 the house, the shops, the stores of her friends, and rummaged in vain. There was no time to send to the city, and despair was about to fall on Kitty, when Pris rescued her by quietly making one of the small sacrifices which were easy to her because her life was spent for others. Some one suggested a strip of blue illusion,—and that could be got; but, alas23! Kitty had no money, for the gloves were already bought. Pris heard the lamentations, and giving up fresh ribbons for herself, pulled her sister out of a slough24 of despond with two yards of “heavenly tulle.”
“Now the daisies; and oh, dear me, not one can I find in this poverty-stricken town,” sighed Kitty, prinking at the glass, and fervently25 hoping that nothing would happen to her complexion26 over night.
“I see plenty just like those on your dress,” answered Pris, nodding toward the meadow full of young white-weed.
“Pris, you’re a treasure! I’ll wear real ones; they keep well, I know, and are so common I can refresh my bonnet anywhere. It’s a splendid idea.”
Away rushed Kitty to return with an apron28 full of American daisies. A pretty cluster was soon fastened just over the left-hand frizzle of bright hair, and the little bonnet was complete.
“Now, Pris, tell me how I look,” cried Kitty, as she swept into the room late that afternoon in full gala costume.
It would have been impossible for the primmest29, the sourest, or the most sensible creature in the world to say that it wasn’t a pretty sight. The long train, the big chignon, the apology for a bonnet, were all ridiculous,—no one could deny that,—but youth, beauty, and a happy heart made even those absurdities30 charming. The erect31 young figure gave an air to the crisp folds of the delicate dress; the bright eyes and fresh cheeks under the lace rosette made one forget its size; and the rippling32 brown hair won admiration33 in spite of the ugly bunch which disfigured the girl’s head. The little jacket set “divinely,” the new gloves were as immaculate as white kids could be, and to crown all, Lizzie King, in a burst of generosity34, lent Kitty the blue and white Paris sunshade which she couldn’t use herself.
“Now I could die content; I’m perfect in all respects, and I know Jack won’t be ashamed of me. I really owe it to him to look my best, you know, and that’s why I’m so particular,” said Kitty, in an apologetic tone, as she began to lay away her finery.
“I hope you will enjoy every minute of the time, deary. Don’t forget to finish running up the facing; I’ve basted35 it carefully, and would do it if my head didn’t ache so, I really can’t hold it up any longer,” answered Pris, who had worked like a disinterested36 bee, while Kitty had flown about like a distracted butterfly.
“Go and lie down, you dear, kind soul, and don’t think of my nonsense again,” said Kitty, feeling remorseful37, till Pris was comfortably asleep, when she went to her room and revelled38 in her finery till bedtime. So absorbed was she in learning to manage her train gracefully39, that she forgot the facing till very late. Then, being worn out with work and worry, she did, what girls are too apt to do, stuck a pin here and there, and, trusting to Priscilla’s careful bastings, left it as it was, retiring to dream of a certain Horace Fletcher, whose aristocratic elegance40 had made a deep impression upon her during the few evenings she had seen him.
Nothing could have been lovelier than the morning, and few hearts happier than Kitty’s, as she arrayed herself with the utmost care, and waited in solemn state for the carriage; for muslin trains and dewy roads were incompatible41, and one luxury brought another.
“My goodness, where did she get that stylish42 suit?” whispered Miss Smith to Miss Jones, as Kitty floated into the station with all sail set, finding it impossible to resist the temptation to astonish certain young ladies who had snubbed her in times past, which snubs had rankled43, and were now avenged44.
“I looked everywhere for a muslin for to-day and couldn’t find any I liked, so I was forced to wear my mauve silk,” observed Miss Smith, complacently45 settling the silvery folds of her dress.
“It’s very pretty, but one ruins a silk at Class Day, you know. I thought this organdie would be more comfortable and appropriate this warm day. A friend brought it from Paris, and it’s like one the Princess of Wales wore at the great flower-show this year,” returned Kitty, with the air of a young lady who had all her dresses from Paris, and was intimately acquainted with the royal family.
“Those girls” were entirely extinguished by this stroke, and hadn’t a word to say for themselves, while Kitty casually46 mentioned Horace Fletcher, Lyceum Hall, and Cousin Jack, for they had only a little Freshman47 brother to boast of, and were not going to Lyceum Hall.
As she stepped out of the cars at Cambridge, Jack opened his honest blue eyes and indulged in a low whistle of astonishment48; for if there was anything he especially hated, it was the trains, chignons and tiny bonnets49 then in fashion. He was very fond of Kitty, and prided himself on being able to show his friends a girl who was charming, and yet not over-dressed.
“She has made a regular guy of herself; I won’t tell her so, and the dear little soul shall have a jolly time in spite of her fuss and feathers. But I do wish she had let her hair alone and worn that pretty hat of hers.”
As this thought passed through Jack’s mind he smiled and bowed and made his way among the crowd, whispering as he drew his cousin’s arm through his own,—
“Why, Kitty, you’re got up regardless of expense, aren’t you? I’m so glad you came, we’ll have a rousing good time, and you shall see all the fun.”
“Oh, thank you, Jack! Do I look nice, really? I tried to be a credit to you and Pris, and I did have such a job of it. I’ll make you laugh over it some time. A carriage for me? Bless us, how fine we are!” and Kitty stepped in, feeling that only one thing more was needed to make her cup overflow50. That one thing was speedily vouchsafed51, for before her skirts were smoothly52 settled, Jack called out, in his hearty53 way,—
“How are you, Fletcher? If you are bound for Chapel I’ll take you up.”
“Thanks; good-morning, Miss Heath.”
It was all done in an instant, and the next thing Kitty knew she was rolling away with the elegant Horace sitting opposite. How little it takes to make a young girl happy! A pretty dress, sunshine, and somebody opposite, and they are blest. Kitty’s face glowed and dimpled with pleasure as she glanced about her, especially when she, sitting in state with two gentlemen all to herself, passed “those girls” walking in the dust with a beardless boy; she felt that she could forgive past slights, and did so with a magnanimous smile and bow.
Both Jack and Fletcher had graduated the year before, but still took an interest in their old haunts, and patronized the fellows who were not yet through the mill, at least the Seniors and Juniors; of Sophs and Freshs they were sublimely54 unconscious. Greeted by frequent slaps on the shoulder, and hearty “How are you, old fellows,” they piloted Kitty to a seat in the chapel. An excellent place, but the girl’s satisfaction was marred55 by Fletcher’s desertion, and she could not see anything attractive about the dashing young lady in the pink bonnet to whom he devoted56 himself, “because she was a stranger,” Kitty said.
Everybody knows what goes on in the Chapel, after the fight and scramble57 are over. The rustle58 and buzz, the music, the oratory59 and the poem, during which the men cheer and the girls simper; the professors yawn, and the poet’s friends pronounce him a second Longfellow. Then the closing flourishes, the grand crush, and general scattering60.
Then the fun really begins, as far as the young folks are concerned. They don’t mind swarming61 up and down stairs in a solid phalanx; they can enjoy half a dozen courses of salad, ice and strawberries, with stout62 gentlemen crushing their feet, anxious mammas sticking sharp elbows into their sides, and absent-minded tutors walking over them. They can flirt63 vigorously in a torrid atmosphere of dinner, dust, and din27; can smile with hot coffee running down their backs, small avalanches64 of ice-cream descending65 upon their best bonnets, and sandwiches, butter-side down, reposing67 on their delicate silks. They know that it is a costly68 rapture69, but they carefully refrain from thinking of the morrow, and energetically illustrate70 the Yankee maxim71 which bids us enjoy ourselves in our early bloom.
Kitty did have “a rousing good time;” for Jack was devoted, taking her everywhere, showing her everything, feeding and fanning her, and festooning her train with untiring patience. How many forcible expressions he mentally indulged in as he walked on that unlucky train we will not record; he smiled and skipped and talked of treading on flowers in a way that would have charmed Kitty, if some one else had not been hovering72 about “The Daisy,” as Fletcher called her.
After he returned, she neglected Jack, who took it coolly, and was never in the way unless she wanted him. For the first time in her life, Kitty deliberately73 flirted74. The little coquetries, which are as natural to a gay young girl as her laughter, were all in full play, and had she gone no further no harm would have been done. But, excited by the example of those about her, Kitty tried to enact75 the fashionable young lady, and, like most novices76, she overdid77 the part. Quite forgetting her cousin, she tossed her head, twirled her fan, gave affected78 little shrieks79 at college jokes, and talked college slang in a way that convulsed Fletcher, who enjoyed the fun immensely.
Jack saw it all, shook his head and said nothing; but his face grew rather sober as he watched Kitty, flushed, dishevelled, and breathless, whirling round Lyceum Hall, on the arm of Fletcher, who danced divinely, as all the girls agreed. Jack had proposed going, but Kitty had frowned, so he fell back, leaving her to listen and laugh, blush and shrink a little at her partner’s flowery compliments and admiring glances.
“If she stands that long she’s not the girl I took her for,” thought Jack, beginning to lose patience. “She doesn’t look like my little Kitty, and somehow I don’t feel half so fond and proud of her as usual. I know one thing, my daughters shall never be seen knocking about in that style.”
As if the thought suggested the act, Jack suddenly assumed an air of paternal81 authority, and, arresting his cousin as she was about to begin again, he said, in a tone she had never heard before,—
“I promised Pris to take care of you, so I shall carry you off to rest, and put yourself to rights after this game of romps82. I advise you to do the same, Fletcher, or give your friend in the pink bonnet a turn.”
Kitty took Jack’s arm pettishly83, but glanced over her shoulder with such an inviting84 smile that Fletcher followed, feeling very much like a top, in danger of tumbling down the instant he stopped spinning. As she came out Kitty’s face cleared, and, assuming her sprightliest85 air, she spread her plumage and prepared to descend66 with effect, for a party of uninvited peris stood at the gate of this Paradise casting longing86 glances at the forbidden splendors87 within. Slowly, that all might see her, Kitty sailed down, with Horace, the debonair88, in her wake, and was just thinking to herself, “Those girls won’t get over this very soon, I fancy,” when all in one moment she heard Fletcher exclaim, wrathfully, “Hang the flounces!” she saw a very glossy89 black hat come skipping down the steps, felt a violent twitch90 backward, and, to save herself from a fall, sat down on the lower step with most undignified haste.
It was impossible for the bystanders to help laughing, for there was Fletcher hopping91 wildly about, with one foot nicely caught in a muslin loop, and there sat Kitty longing to run away and hide herself, yet perfectly92 helpless, while every one tittered. Miss Jones and Miss Smith laughed shrilly93, and the despised little Freshman completed her mortification94, by a feeble joke about Kitty Heath’s new man-trap. It was only an instant, but it seemed an hour before Fletcher freed her, and snatching up the dusty beaver95, left her with a flushed countenance96 and an abrupt97 bow.
If it hadn’t been for Jack, Kitty would have burst into tears then and there, so terrible was the sense of humiliation98 which oppressed her. For his sake she controlled herself, and, bundling up her torn train, set her teeth, stared straight before her, and let him lead her in dead silence to a friend’s room near by. There he locked the door, and began to comfort her by making light of the little mishap99. But Kitty cried so tragically100, that he was at his wit’s end, till the ludicrous side of the affair struck her, and she began to laugh hysterically101. With a vague idea that vigorous treatment was best for that feminine ailment102, Jack was about to empty the contents of an ice-pitcher over her, when she arrested him, by exclaiming, incoherently,—
“Oh, don’t!—it was so funny!—how can you laugh, you cruel boy?—I’m disgraced, forever—take me home to Pris, oh, take me home to Pris!”
“I will, my dear, I will; but first let me right you up a bit; you look as if you had been hazed103, upon my life you do;” and Jack laughed in spite of himself at the wretched little object before him, for dust, dancing, and the downfall produced a ruinous spectacle.
That broke Kitty’s heart; and, spreading her hands before her face, she was about to cry again, when the sad sight which met her eyes dispelled104 the gathering105 tears. The new gloves were both split up the middle and very dirty with clutching at the steps as she went down.
“Never mind, you can wash them,” said Jack, soothingly106.
“I paid a dollar and a half for them, and they can’t be washed,” groaned107 Kitty.
“Oh, hang the gloves! I meant your hands,” cried Jack, trying to keep sober.
“No matter for my hands, I mourn my gloves. But I won’t cry any more, for my head aches now so I can hardly see.” And Kitty threw off her bonnet, as if even that airy trifle hurt her.
Seeing how pale she looked, Jack tenderly suggested a rest on the old sofa, and a wet handkerchief on her hot forehead, while he got the good landlady108 to send her up a cup of tea. As Kitty rose to comply she glanced at her dress, and, clasping her hands, exclaimed, tragically,—
“The facing, the fatal facing! That made all the mischief109, for if I’d sewed it last night it wouldn’t have ripped to-day; if it hadn’t ripped Fletcher wouldn’t have got his foot in it, I shouldn’t have made an object of myself, he wouldn’t have gone off in a rage, and—who knows what might have happened?”
“Bless the what’s-its-name if it has settled him,” cried Jack. “He is a contemptible110 fellow not to stay and help you out of the scrape he got you into. Follow his lead and don’t trouble yourself about him.”
“Well, he was rather absurd to-day, I allow; but he has got handsome eyes and hands, and he does dance like an angel,” sighed Kitty, as she pinned up the treacherous111 loop which had brought destruction to her little castle in the air.
“Handsome eyes, white hands, and angelic feet don’t make a man. Wait till you can do better, Kit3.”
With an odd, grave look, that rather startled Kitty, Jack vanished, to return presently with a comfortable cup of tea and a motherly old lady to help repair damages and soothe113 her by the foolish little purrings and pattings so grateful to female nerves after a flurry.
“I’ll come back and take you out to see the dance round the tree when you’ve had a bit of a rest,” said Jack, vibrating between door and sofa as if it wasn’t easy to get away.
“Oh, I couldn’t,” cried Kitty, with a shudder114 at the bare idea of meeting any one. “I can’t be seen again to-night; let me stay here till my train goes.”
“I thought it had gone, already,” said Jack, with an irrepressible twinkle of the eye that glanced at the draggled dress sweeping115 the floor.
“How can you joke about it!” and the girl’s reproachful eyes filled with tears of shame. “I know I’ve been very silly, Jack, but I’ve had my punishment, and I don’t need any more. To feel that you despise me is worse than all the rest.”
She ended with a little sob80, and turned her face away to hide the trembling of her lips. At that, Jack flushed up, his eyes shone, and he stooped suddenly as if to make some impetuous reply. But, remembering the old lady (who, by the by, was discreetly116 looking out of window), he put his hands in his pockets and strolled out of the room.
“I’ve lost them both by this day’s folly,” thought Kitty, as Mrs. Brown departed with the teacup. “I don’t care for Fletcher, for I dare say he didn’t mean half he said, and I was only flattered because he is rich and handsome and the girls glorify117 him. But I shall miss Jack, for I’ve known and loved him all my life. How good he’s been to me to-day! so patient, careful, and kind, though he must have been ashamed of me. I know he didn’t like my dress; but he never said a word and stood by me through everything. Oh, I wish I’d minded Pris! then he would have respected me, at least; I wonder if he ever will, again?”
Following a sudden impulse, Kitty sprang up, locked the door, and then proceeded to destroy all her little vanities as far as possible. She smoothed out her crimps with a wet and ruthless hand; fastened up her pretty hair in the simple way Jack liked; gave her once cherished bonnet a spiteful shake, as she put it on, and utterly118 extinguished it with a big blue veil. She looped up her dress, leaving no vestige119 of the now hateful train, and did herself up uncompromisingly in the Quakerish gray shawl Pris had insisted on her taking for the evening. Then she surveyed herself with pensive120 satisfaction, saying, in the tone of one bent121 on resolutely122 mortifying123 the flesh,—
“Neat but not gaudy124; I’m a fright, but I deserve it, and it’s better than being a peacock.”
Kitty had time to feel a little friendless and forlorn, sitting there alone as twilight125 fell, and amused herself by wondering if Fletcher would come to inquire about her, or show any further interest in her; yet when the sound of a manly126 tramp approached, she trembled lest it should be the victim of the fatal facing. The door opened, and with a sigh of relief she saw Jack come in, bearing a pair of new gloves in one hand and a great bouquet127 of June roses in the other.
“How good of you to bring me these! They are more refreshing128 than oceans of tea. You know what I like, Jack; thank you very much,” cried Kitty, sniffing129 at her roses with grateful rapture.
“And you know what I like,” returned Jack, with an approving glance at the altered figure before him.
“I’ll never do so any more,” murmured Kitty, wondering why she felt bashful all of a sudden, when it was only cousin Jack.
“Now put on your gloves, dear, and come out and hear the music; your train doesn’t go for two hours yet, and you mustn’t mope here all that time,” said Jack, offering his second gift.
“How did you know my size?” asked Kitty, putting on the gloves in a hurry; for though Jack had called her “dear” for years, the little word had a new sound to-night.
“I guessed,—no, I didn’t, I had the old ones with me; they are no good now, are they?” and too honest to lie, Jack tried to speak carelessly, though he turned red in the dusk, well knowing that the dirty little gloves were folded away in his left breast-pocket at that identical moment.
“Oh, dear, no! these fit nicely. I’m ready, if you don’t mind going with such a fright,” said Kitty, forgetting her dread130 of seeing people in her desire to get away from that room, because for the first time in her life she wasn’t at ease with Jack.
“I think I like the little gray moth112 better than the fine butterfly,” returned Jack, who, in spite of his invitation, seemed to find “moping” rather pleasant.
“You are a rainy-day friend, and he isn’t,” said Kitty, softly, as she drew him away.
Jack’s only answer was to lay his hand on the little white glove resting so confidingly131 on his arm, and, keeping it there, they roamed away into the summer twilight.
Something had happened to the evening and the place, for both seemed suddenly endowed with uncommon132 beauty and interest. The dingy133 old houses might have been fairy palaces, for anything they saw to the contrary; the dusty walks, the trampled134 grass, were regular Elysian fields to them, and the music was the music of the spheres, though they found themselves “Right in the middle of the boom, jing, jing.” For both had made a little discovery,—no, not a little one, the greatest and sweetest man and woman can make. In the sharp twinge of jealousy135 which the sight of Kitty’s flirtation136 with Fletcher gave him, and the delight he found in her after conduct, Jack discovered how much he loved her. In the shame, gratitude137, and half sweet, half bitter emotion that filled her heart, Kitty felt that to her Jack would never be “only cousin Jack” any more. All the vanity, coquetry, selfishness, and ill-temper of the day seemed magnified to heinous138 sins, for now her only thought was, “seeing these faults, he can’t care for me. Oh, I wish I was a better girl!”
She did not say “for his sake,” but in the new humility139, the ardent140 wish to be all that a woman should be, little Kitty proved how true her love was, and might have said with Portia,—
“For myself alone, I would not be
Ambitious in my wish; but, for you,
I would be trebled twenty times myself;
A thousand times more fair,
Ten thousand times more rich.”
All about them other pairs were wandering under the patriarchal elms, enjoying music, starlight, balmy winds, and all the luxuries of the season. If the band had played
“Oh, there’s nothing half so sweet in life
As love’s young dream—”
it is my private opinion that it would have suited the audience to a T. Being principally composed of elderly gentlemen with large families, they had not that fine sense of the fitness of things so charming to see, and tooted and banged away with waltzes and marches, quite regardless of the flocks of Romeos and Juliets philandering141 all about them.
Under cover of a popular medley142, Kitty overheard Fletcher quizzing her for the amusement of Miss Pink-bonnet, who was evidently making up for lost time. It was feeble wit, but it put the finishing stroke to Kitty’s vanity, and she dropped a tear in her blue tissue retreat, and clung to Jack, feeling that she had never valued him half enough. She hoped he didn’t hear the gossip going on at the other side of the tree near which they stood; but he did, for his hand involuntarily doubled itself up into a very dangerous-looking fist, and he darted143 such fiery144 glances at the speaker, that, if the thing had been possible, Fletcher’s ambrosial145 curls would have been scorched146 off his head.
“Never mind, and don’t get angry, Jack. They are right about one thing,—the daisies in my bonnet were real, and I couldn’t afford any others. I don’t care much, only Pris worked so hard to get me ready I hate to have my things made fun of.”
“He isn’t worth a thrashing, so we’ll let it pass this time,” said Jack, irefully, yet privately147 resolving to have it out with Fletcher by and by.
“Why, Kitty, I thought the real daisies the prettiest things about your dress. Don’t throw them away. I’ll wear them just to show that noodle that I prefer nature to art;” and Jack gallantly148 stuck the faded posy in his button-hole, while Kitty treasured up the hint so kindly149 given for future use.
If a clock with great want of tact150 hadn’t insisted on telling them that it was getting late, Kitty never would have got home, for both the young people felt inclined to loiter about arm in arm through the sweet summer night forever. Jack had meant to say something before she went, and was immensely surprised to find the chance lost for the present. He wanted to go home with her and free his mind; but a neighborly old gentleman having been engaged as escort, there would have been very little satisfaction in a travelling trio; so he gave it up. He was very silent as they walked to the station with Dr. Dodd trudging151 behind them. Kitty thought he was tired, perhaps glad to be rid of her, and meekly152 accepted her fate. But as the train approached, she gave his hand an impulsive153 squeeze, and said very gratefully,—
“Jack, I can’t thank you enough for your kindness to your silly little cousin; but I never shall forget it, and if I ever can return it in any way, I will with all my heart.”
Jack looked down at the young face almost pathetic now with weariness, humility, and pain, yet very sweet, with that new shyness in the loving eyes, and, stooping suddenly, he kissed it, whispering in a tone that made the girl’s heart flutter,—
“I’ll tell you how you may return it ‘with all your heart,’ by and by. Good-night, my Kitty.”
“Have you had a good time, dear?” asked Pris, as her sister appeared an hour later.
“Don’t I look as if I had?” and, throwing off her wraps, Kitty revolved154 slowly before her that she might behold every portion of the wreck155. “My gown is all dust, crumple156, and rags, my bonnet perfectly limp and flat, and my gloves are ruined; I’ve broken Lizzie’s parasol, made a spectacle of myself, and wasted money, time, and temper; yet my Class Day isn’t a failure, for Jack is the dearest boy in the world, and I’m very, very happy!”
Pris looked at her a minute, then opened her arms without a word, and Kitty forgot all her little troubles in one great joy.
When Miss Smith and Miss Jones called a few days after to tell her that Mr. Fletcher was going abroad, the amiable157 creatures were entirely routed by finding Jack there in a most unmistakable situation. He blandly158 wished Horace “bon voyage,” and regretted that he wouldn’t be there to the wedding in October. Kitty devoted herself to blushing beautifully, and darning many rents in a short daisy muslin skirt, “which I intend to wear a great deal, because Jack likes it, and so do I,” she said, with a demure159 look at her lover, who laughed as if that was the best joke of the season.
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chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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3
kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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4
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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5
mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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6
gored
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| v.（动物）用角撞伤，用牙刺破( gore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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7
bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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8
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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9
puffed
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| adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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10
disapproved
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| v.不赞成( disapprove的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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11
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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12
remonstrate
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| v.抗议，规劝 | |
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13
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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14
snipped
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| v.剪( snip的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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15
eked
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| v.（靠节省用量）使…的供应持久( eke的过去式和过去分词 )；节约使用；竭力维持生计；勉强度日 | |
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16
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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17
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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18
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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19
quailed
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| 害怕，发抖，畏缩( quail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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20
catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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21
frantically
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| ad.发狂地, 发疯地 | |
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22
rummaged
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| 翻找，搜寻( rummage的过去式和过去分词 )； 已经海关检查 | |
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23
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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24
slough
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| v.蜕皮，脱落，抛弃 | |
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25
fervently
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| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
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26
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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27
din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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28
apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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29
primmest
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| adj.循规蹈矩的( prim的最高级 )；整洁的；（人）一本正经 | |
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30
absurdities
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| n.极端无理性( absurdity的名词复数 )；荒谬；谬论；荒谬的行为 | |
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31
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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32
rippling
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| 起涟漪的，潺潺流水般声音的 | |
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33
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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34
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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35
basted
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| v.打( baste的过去式和过去分词 )；粗缝；痛斥；（烤肉等时）往上抹[浇]油 | |
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36
disinterested
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| adj.不关心的，不感兴趣的 | |
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37
remorseful
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| adj.悔恨的 | |
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38
revelled
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| v.作乐( revel的过去式和过去分词 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉 | |
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39
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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40
elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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41
incompatible
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| adj.不相容的，不协调的，不相配的 | |
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42
stylish
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| adj.流行的，时髦的；漂亮的，气派的 | |
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43
rankled
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| v.（使）痛苦不已，（使）怨恨不已( rankle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
avenged
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| v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的过去式和过去分词 )；为…报复 | |
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45
complacently
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| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
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46
casually
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| adv.漠不关心地，无动于衷地，不负责任地 | |
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47
freshman
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| n.大学一年级学生(可兼指男女) | |
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48
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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49
bonnets
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| n.童帽( bonnet的名词复数 )；（烟囱等的）覆盖物；（苏格兰男子的）无边呢帽；（女子戴的）任何一种帽子 | |
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50
overflow
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| v.(使)外溢，(使)溢出；溢出，流出，漫出 | |
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51
vouchsafed
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| v.给予，赐予( vouchsafe的过去式和过去分词 )；允诺 | |
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52
smoothly
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| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
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53
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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54
sublimely
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| 高尚地，卓越地 | |
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55
marred
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| adj. 被损毁, 污损的 | |
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56
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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57
scramble
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| v.爬行，攀爬，杂乱蔓延，碎片，片段，废料 | |
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58
rustle
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| v.沙沙作响；偷盗(牛、马等)；n.沙沙声声 | |
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59
oratory
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| n.演讲术；词藻华丽的言辞 | |
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60
scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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61
swarming
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| 密集( swarm的现在分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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63
flirt
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| v.调情，挑逗，调戏；n.调情者，卖俏者 | |
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64
avalanches
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| n.雪崩( avalanche的名词复数 ) | |
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65
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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66
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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67
reposing
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的现在分词 ) | |
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68
costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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69
rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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70
illustrate
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| v.举例说明，阐明；图解，加插图 | |
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71
maxim
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| n.格言，箴言 | |
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72
hovering
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| 鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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73
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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74
flirted
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| v.调情，打情骂俏( flirt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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75
enact
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| vt.制定(法律)；上演，扮演 | |
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76
novices
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| n.新手( novice的名词复数 )；初学修士（或修女）；（修会等的）初学生；尚未赢过大赛的赛马 | |
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77
overdid
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| v.做得过分( overdo的过去式 )；太夸张；把…煮得太久；（工作等）过度 | |
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78
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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79
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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80
sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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81
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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82
romps
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| n.无忧无虑，快活( romp的名词复数 )v.嬉笑玩闹( romp的第三人称单数 )；（尤指在赛跑或竞选等中）轻易获胜 | |
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83
pettishly
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84
inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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85
sprightliest
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活泼的( sprightly的最高级 ) | |
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86
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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87
splendors
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| n.华丽( splendor的名词复数 )；壮丽；光辉；显赫 | |
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88
debonair
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| adj.殷勤的，快乐的 | |
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89
glossy
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| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
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90
twitch
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| v.急拉，抽动，痉挛，抽搐；n.扯，阵痛，痉挛 | |
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91
hopping
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| n. 跳跃 动词hop的现在分词形式 | |
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92
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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93
shrilly
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| 尖声的； 光亮的，耀眼的 | |
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94
mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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95
beaver
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| n.海狸，河狸 | |
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96
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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97
abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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98
humiliation
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| n.羞辱 | |
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99
mishap
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| n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸 | |
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100
tragically
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| adv. 悲剧地，悲惨地 | |
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101
hysterically
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| ad. 歇斯底里地 | |
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102
ailment
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| n.疾病，小病 | |
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103
hazed
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| v.（使）笼罩在薄雾中( haze的过去式和过去分词 )；戏弄，欺凌（新生等，有时作为加入美国大学生联谊会的条件） | |
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104
dispelled
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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105
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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106
soothingly
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| adv.抚慰地，安慰地；镇痛地 | |
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107
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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108
landlady
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| n.女房东，女地主 | |
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109
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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110
contemptible
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| adj.可鄙的，可轻视的，卑劣的 | |
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111
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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112
moth
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| n.蛾，蛀虫 | |
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113
soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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114
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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115
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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116
discreetly
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| ad.(言行)审慎地，慎重地 | |
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117
glorify
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| vt.颂扬，赞美，使增光，美化 | |
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118
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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119
vestige
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| n.痕迹，遗迹，残余 | |
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120
pensive
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| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
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121
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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122
resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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123
mortifying
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| adj.抑制的，苦修的v.使受辱( mortify的现在分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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124
gaudy
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| adj.华而不实的；俗丽的 | |
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125
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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126
manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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127
bouquet
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| n.花束，酒香 | |
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128
refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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129
sniffing
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| n.探查法v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的现在分词 )；抽鼻子（尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气）；抱怨，不以为然地说 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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131
confidingly
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| adv.信任地 | |
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132
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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133
dingy
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| adj.昏暗的，肮脏的 | |
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134
trampled
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| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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135
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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136
flirtation
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| n.调情，调戏，挑逗 | |
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137
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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138
heinous
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| adj.可憎的，十恶不赦的 | |
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139
humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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140
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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141
philandering
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| v.调戏，玩弄女性( philander的现在分词 ) | |
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142
medley
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| n.混合 | |
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143
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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144
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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ambrosial
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| adj.美味的 | |
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146
scorched
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| 烧焦，烤焦( scorch的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（植物）枯萎，把…晒枯； 高速行驶； 枯焦 | |
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147
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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148
gallantly
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| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
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149
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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150
tact
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| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
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151
trudging
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| vt.& vi.跋涉，吃力地走（trudge的现在分词形式） | |
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152
meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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153
impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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154
revolved
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| v.（使）旋转( revolve的过去式和过去分词 )；细想 | |
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wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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156
crumple
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| v.把...弄皱，满是皱痕，压碎，崩溃 | |
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157
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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158
blandly
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| adv.温和地，殷勤地 | |
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159
demure
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| adj.严肃的；端庄的 | |
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