CHAPTER IX
ALL KINDS OF FUN
Any one who had looked in on the sisters one day would have seen that they were greatly excited. Just at this time they were visiting Madame Bertrand, and during their stay a ball was to be given.
Plans that promised much pleasure for them had been made. They were to dine with the Emperor, and then go on to Deadwood in his carriage.
"Don't jerk so, please," cried Betsy, while the maid was arranging her hair.
"But you must have this Chinese coiffure, if you are going to the ball. You would not wish to go looking like a little girl."
"Oh, no," responded Betsy faintly, inwardly rebellious, as her hair was jerked and strained on top of her head. She was willing to bear pain for the sake of appearing well, but when she looked in the glass she thought that she had never seen anything so hideous as the coiffure that the maid had arranged with such care. She no longer desired to appear like a young lady. Her hair had been drawn back so tight that her eyes were fairly starting from the socket. Had there been time she would have pulled the coiffure down, and indeed she was ready to cry with vexation, but she did not really dare to disarrange it now, for she dreaded the Emperor's ridicule. How he would laugh at the funny Chinese coiffure! In a few minutes she was to appear before him.
To her great surprise, when she and her sister entered the dining-room, the Emperor spared her, saying only:
"Mees Betsy, this is the only time I have ever seen you look really neat; but I don't like your frock. What is the matter?"