Mamma agreed to let her have the handkerchief provided she would return it, and told Posy where she could find it; but Posy still lingered, much to Mrs. Polly’s vexation, for the interesting conversation that Posy had interrupted would not be resumed as long as she remained in the room.
“Her wants a fan too,” said Posy.
“A fan?” said Mamma. “Oh no, she doesn’t need a fan.”
“Yes, her does,” persisted Posy, “her’s to be married, you know, and her must have a fan to blush on.”
“‘To blush on’?” asked Mamma. “Why, what do you mean, Posy?”
“Why, don’t you ’member ‘Jenny blushed behind her fan’? Peoples always does, Tom says.”
“If Tom says so it must be so,” said Papa. “I think Mamma can let you have a fan for such an important occasion, Posy.”
“You are a dear, kind Papa,” said Posy, hugging him; “and if you’ll give me a dollar I’ll buy you such a beautiful birthday present! I may as well tell you what it is, for you’ll forget all about it before the time comes.”
“Don’t tell me,” said Papa, “I like to be surprised; but you shall have the dollar when the time comes if you’ll run off now, for Mamma has something to say to me.”
So off ran Posy for the handkerchief and fan, and when they were alone again Mrs. Winton continued:—