Thegirlshadfitsoflaughteroverthequeercostumesofyearsgoneby,andputupasplendidprocessionofladiesinfullskirts,toweringhats,pointedslippers,powderedhair,simperingfaces,andimpossiblewaists。
\"Idothinkthisbrideisperfectlysplendid,thelongtrainandvailaresosweet,\"saidJill,revellinginfineclothesassheturnedfromoneplatetoanother。
\"Iliketheelephantsbest,andI\'dgiveanythingtogoonahuntlikethat！\"criedMollyLoo,whorodecows,droveanyhorseshecouldget,hadninecats,andwasnotafraidofthebiggestdogthateverbarked。
\"Ifancy\'TheDancingLesson;itissosortofsplendid,withthegreatwindows,goldchairs,andfinefolks。Oh,Iwouldliketoliveinacastlewithafatherandmotherlikethat,\"saidMerry,whowasromantic,andfoundtheoldfarmhouseonthebillasadtrialtoherhigh—flownideasofelegance。
\"Now,thatship,settingoutforsomefar—awayplace,ismoretomymind。Iwearyforhomenowandthen,andmeantoseeitagainsomeday\";andMrs。PecqlookedlonginglyattheEnglishship,thoughitwasevidentlyoutwardbound。Then,asifreproachingherselffordiscontent,sheadded:\"ItlookslikethoseIusedtoseegoingofftoIndiawithaloadofmissionaries。Icameneargoingmyselfonce,withaladyboundforSiam;butIwenttoCanadawithhersister,andhereIam。\"