"Look at him now! Isn't he really elegant in his new clothes? Light gray becomes him—his complexion is so fair and clear! There isn't another boy in the neighborhood that wouldn't look as yellow as a dandelion in gray! Isn't he handsome, now?"
This was a very severe ordeal for Ishmael. The young ladies had all gathered around Claudia, and were examining her favourite. Ishmael felt his face burn until it seemed as if the very tips of his ears would take fire.
"Isn't he handsome, now, Bee?" pursued the relentless Claudia, appealing to her cousin.
Beatrice was blushing in intense sympathy with the blushing youth.
"I say, isn't he handsome, Bee?" persevered the implacable critic, turning him around for her cousin's closer inspection.
"Yes! he is a very handsome dog! I wonder you do not get a collar and chain for him, for fear he should run away, or someone should steal him from you, Claudia!" suddenly exclaimed the distressed girl, bursting into indignant tears.
"Consternation! what is the matter now?" inquired the heiress, dropping her victim, from whom general attention was now diverted.
"What is the matter, Bee? what is the matter?" inquired all the young ladies, gathering around the excited girl.
Beatrice could only sob forth the words:
"Nothing, only Claudia vexes me."