"The white silk, underneath, is all right—look! Only a new net skirt over it. Mama won't mind it in the least."
"If you have a new net over-skirt I shall have one too. You're not to have an evening frock more than me. So come! I shall have blue again. Blue tarlatan with white frillings on the flounces. Blue is my colour. Reggie said so to-night."
"I suppose he admired you in that wreath of forget-me-nots?"
"He didn't say I was to tell you, if he did! You go to bed, and to sleep,
Deleah; and don't interfere."
"I'm getting out of my clothes as fast as I can. Why aren't you getting out of yours, Bess?"
"I'm not going to bed yet. I'm waiting for mama. I've something to say to her."
"What about? Oh, Bess, do tell! I always tell you everything."
She paused, stepped out of her dress which lay a heap of shining silk and billowy net upon the floor, looked at her sister. "It's something about Reggie," she declared with eager interest. "Yes, it is! Oh, Bessie, tell me first. Your face is as red as red! Tell me first!"
You mind your own business, Deda; and brush your hair."
"I'm not going to brush it, to-night: I can't. It's so tangly. I'm just going to say my prayers, and hop into bed."