“Oh, aren’t they just too lovely for anything!” cried Annis, gazing at Elsie, then turning to survey her own graceful little figure in the glass.
“You look so sweet in yours, Annis,” Elsie said, her eyes full of genuine, loving admiration as they went from the dress up to the bright, happy face of the wearer. “Let us run and show ourselves to mamma and Cousin Mildred. I think they are in mamma’s boudoir.”
The ladies were found, and their verdict was entirely satisfactory; they could see no room for improvement in the dresses.
“Or the faces either,” Rose said in a whispered aside to Mildred.
“Both are very sweet and winsome, but Elsie’s far the more beautiful of the two,” Mildred returned, in the same low tone, but with a loving look at her little pet sister.
Then the gentlemen came in, and they two admired and commended.
“Now, little girls,” Mr. Dinsmore said, “your ponies and my horse are standing ready saddled and bridled at the door, and if you will exchange this finery for your riding-habits, we will take a gallop. Annis is equal to that now, I think.”
“Oh, thank you! Cousin Horace,” she exclaimed in delight. Then to Elsie, as they ran gayly to do his bidding, “We’ll doff our finery willingly enough for that, won’t we?”
“Yes, indeed! I’m so glad you enjoy riding, Annis. I always did; especially with papa for my escort.”
They had their ride, enjoyed it greatly too; then an hour for needle-work or anything they chose to do, before dinner.