“Yes, but mistress was disappointed about the lace; it is not come home.”
“Not come home, indeed! and didn’t they know it was my birthday? But then I say I won’t wear it without the lace—I can’t wear it without the lace, and I won’t.”
The lace, however, could not be had; and Bell at length submitted to let the frock be put on.
“Come, Miss Bell, dry your eyes,” said the maid who educated her; “dry your eyes, and I’ll tell you something that will please you.”
“What, then?” said the child, pouting and sobbing.
“Why—but you must not tell that I told you.”
“No,—but if I am asked?”
“Why, if you are asked, you must tell the truth, to be sure. So I’ll hold my tongue, miss.”
“Nay, tell me, though, and I’ll never tell—if I am asked.”
“Well, then,” said the maid, “your cousin Rosamond is come, and has brought you the most beautifullest thing you ever saw in your life; but you are not to know anything about it till after dinner, because she wants to surprise you; and mistress has put it into her wardrobe till after dinner.”