'Five Leghorn bonnets would have cost too much,' said Katherine, 'and Mamma wished us all to be alike.'
'Ah! she would not let you be smarter than her own girls, eh, Kitty?' said Harriet, laughing.
'I had been obliged to buy a very nice new straw bonnet at Dykelands,' said Helen, 'and it, would have been a pity not to use that.'
'Well, I have no notion of a whole row of sisters being forced to dress alike,' said Harriet; 'Aunt Mildred might—'
Here Lucy stopped her sister's speech, by bringing the gown forward to display it. When Harriet had sufficiently explained its excellence she began, 'So your cousin, young Merton, is coming, is he?'
'Yes,' said Katherine, 'we expected him last night, or in the course of this day, but he has not come yet.'
'Well, what sort of a young fellow is he?' said Harriet.
'Very clever indeed,' said Katherine.
'Oh! then he will not be in my line at all,' said Harriet; 'those clever boys are never worth speaking to, are they, Lucy?'
'Do you like stupid ones better?' said Helen.