Alice smiled; and, interpreting the smile, May said:
'I am afraid you don't think so much of me.'
'I am sure, May, you look very nice indeed, and just as you would like to look.'
To May's excitable mind it was not difficult to suggest a new train of thought, and she immediately proceeded to explain why she had chosen her present dress.
'I knew that you, and Olive, and Violet, and Lord knows how many others would be in white, and, as we shall all have to wear white at the Drawing-Room, I thought I'd appear in this. But isn't the whole thing delightful? I am engaged already for several dances, and I have been practising the step all day with Fred.' Then, singing to herself, she waltzed in front of the glass at the immediate risk of falling into the bath:
'"Five-and-forty spinsters baked in a pie!
When the pie was opened the maids began to sing,
Wasn't that a dainty dish to set before the King!"
'Oh, dear, there's my garter coming down!' and, dropping on to the sofa, the girl hitched up the treacherous article of dress. 'And tell me what you think of my legs,' she said, advancing a pair of stately calves. 'Violet says they are too large.'
'They seem to me to be all right; but, May dear, you haven't got a petticoat on.'
'You can't wear petticoats with these tight dresses; one can't move one's legs as it is.'
'But don't you think you'll feel cold—catch cold?'