“The proper place ’ud be my bedroom,” Agnetta had said, “where there’s a mirror an’ all; but it’s Bella’s too, you see, an’ just now she’s making a new bonnet, and she’s forever there trying it on. But I’ll bring the scissors and do it in a jiffy.”
And here was Agnetta armed with the scissors, and a certain authority of manner she always used with her cousin.
“Tek off yer bonnet and undo yer plaits,” she said, opening and shutting the bright scissors with a snap, as though she longed to begin.
Lilac stood with her back against a truss of hay, rather shrinking away, for now that the moment had really come she felt frightened, and all her doubts returned. She had the air of a pale little victim before her executioner.
“Come,” said Agnetta, with another snap.
“Oh, Agnetta, do you really think they’ll like it?” faltered Lilac.
“What I really think is that you’re a ninny,” said the determined Agnetta; “an’ I’m not agoin’ to wait here while you shilly-shally. Is it to be off or on?”
“Oh off, I suppose,” said Lilac.
With trembling fingers she took off her bonnet, and unfastened her hair from its plait. It fell like a dark silky veil over her shoulders.
“Lor’!” said Agnetta, “you have got a lot of it.”