Emily Louise wondered about the “angles hands.” What were they? It never suggested itself that a master of the pen such as Jimmy might be weak in spelling.
One has to meet new responsibilities at grammar school, too; one has to be careful with whom she associates.
Associate was Isobel’s word; she used many impressive words, but then Isobel was different; she spelled her name with an o, and she did not live in a home; Isobel lived in a hotel, and her papa was the holder of a government position. Hattie’s papa, someone told Emily Louise, had wanted to hold it, but Isobel’s papa got it.
Isobel said a person must discriminate. This Emily Louise found meant, move in groups that talked each about the others. Isobel and Rosalie pointed out to Emily Louise that the nice girls were in their group.
Yet Hattie was not in it; Emily Louise wondered why.
“It depends on who you are,” said Isobel, with the sweeping calmness of one whose position is assured. “My papa is own second cousin to the Attorney-General of the United States.”
And that this claim conveyed small meaning to the group about Isobel, made her family connections by no means the less impressive and to be envied. The Isobels supply their part of the curriculum of grammar school.
Emily Louise went home anxious. “Have I a family?” she inquired.
“It’s hard to say, since you abandoned it,” said Uncle Charlie.
Emily Louise blushed; she did not feel just happy in her mind yet about those dolls buried in a mausoleum-like trunk in the attic.