"What has gone wrong, Jeannie?" inquired Sarah.
"Why, mamma says that I will be in her way if I go into the ball-room; and it will be so stupid to stay out the whole evening, while all the other girls can see the dancing and dresses, and hear the music. And sister Lucy says that children are 'bores' in company."
"A sad state of affairs, certainly! Perhaps I may persuade mother to let you go."
"Yes; but if she does, she will sit close against the wall with a lot of other fat old ladies, and they will talk over my head, and squeeze me almost to death, besides rumpling my dress; and I so want to wear my tucked pink grenadine, sister!"
"And you would like to have me to go down with you; is that it?"
Jeannie's eyes beamed delightedly. "Oh, if you only would!"
Sarah looked down into the eager face and saw, in anticipation, her own little Belle imploring some boon, as important to her, as easy to be granted by another as this, and consented with a kiss.
"Run away and bring your finery here! Mother is too busy to attend to you. Mary can dress you."
The order was obeyed with lightning speed; and Sarah, still holding in the excited child the foreshadowing of her darling's girlhood, superintended the toilet, while she made herself ready.
"What shall I wear, Jeannie?" she asked carelessly, holding open the door of her wardrobe.