’Really，dear！’saidshe，strokingMolly’shead，’Ithinkyourhairisgettingsofter，andlosingthatdisagreeablecrispcurlyfeeling。’
ThenMollyknewthatherstepmotherwasinhighgood—humour；thesmoothnessorcurlinessofherhairwasasuretestofthefavourinwhichMrsGibsonheldheratthemoment。
’Iamsosorrytobethecauseofdetainingyoufromthislittleparty，butdearpapaissoover—anxiousaboutme。Ihavealwaysbeenakindofpetwithgentlemen，andpoorMrKirkpatrickneverknewhowtomakeenoughofme。ButIthinkMrGibsonisevenmorefoolishlyfond；hislastwordswere，\"Takecareofyourself，Hyacinth；\"andthenhecamebackagaintosay，\"Ifyoudon’tattendtomydirectionsIwon’tanswerfortheconsequences。\"
Ishookmyforefingerathim，andsaid，\"Don’tbesoanxious，yousillyman。\"’
’Ihopewehavedoneeverythinghetoldustodo，’saidMolly。