Amy Brooks

“ She had expressed her disapproval of “play-acting” to Uncle Harry.
Now all was different; Arabella had appeared, had spoken well, and the applause which she received completely changed Aunt Matilda's mind.
“Granted our wishes,
Happy hearts have we;
True to our fairy queen
Ever we'll be,” sang the children, and then once more the red curtain hid the tiny stage.
“On second thoughts, I guess play-acting is rather a fine thing if it's well done,” Aunt Matilda said, “an' I guess my Arabella did 'bout as well as any of 'em. I shouldn't wonder if she could be a great actress if she chose. ”

“ Every one liked Lola. She seemed to be tireless. She knew many games, and as soon as they wearied of one, she chose another.
“She's as much fun to play with as a boy,” said Reginald, at which Arabella laughed.
“You like any girls better'n boys; you said so the other day,” she said.
“I like some girls,” said the small boy, and he might have said more, but his cousin Katie stood behind Arabella, shaking her head, and frowning at him. Reginald looked at Katie, and decided to be silent. ”

“ Patricia replied, and as that was quite true, Reginald had nothing to say.
Lola Blessington sat beside Nancy, and many of the older guests watched the two as they talked together, and thought how charming they were, and how very unlike.
Lola's blue eyes were merry, and her sea-nymph's costume was very becoming, while Nancy's fine dark eyes and graceful figure never looked prettier than in her lovely shepherdess frock.
At Nancy's right sat Dorothy, and her beautiful little face showed the joy that was in her heart. She was always happiest when giving pleasure to others. ”

“ After the little happening in the conservatory on the evening of the party, Aunt Matilda spoke plainly to Arabella about her choice of playmates.
“I don't approve of that Lavine girl,” she had said.
“You don't know her,” ventured Arabella.
“I don't need to,” was the curt reply. “A girl that can't go to a party without meddling with things, and getting into mischief, is not the girl that I care to have you with, and there's no reason why you should go to the other end of the town to find a playmate; there are enough pleasant girls in your own school.” ”

“ Arabella asked.
“Why, don't you know the boy that we see sometimes at Dorothy Dainty's house?”
Arabella shook her head.
“I mean the one that wears a cap with a gold band on it, and a coat with brass buttons, and tries to walk like a man when Mr. Dainty sends him out with parcels,” explained Patricia.
“Oh, I know,” said Arabella, “but he's real nice looking, and Dorothy says her father thinks he's smart. I shouldn't think he could be brother to that little pig or that Mandy girl.” ”

“ As they hastened down the long avenue after school, he again asked his question:
“Say, girls! What did I say?”
“You said we'd got to learn horrid things, and Aunt Charlotte didn't say so,” said Mollie.
“I know she didn't, but Bob did, and you wait,” was the quick reply.
“I'll tell you something that you'd hardly believe, but it's true,” said Mollie; “it's somebody that's coming right here to Merrivale to live.”
“Is it somebody you know?” Dorothy asked.
Mollie laughed.
“Somebody we all know,” she said.
“Is she nice? Do we like her?” Nina questioned. ”

“ When the room was again quiet Aunt Charlotte told Reginald and Arabella to remain for a few moments after school.
When the other pupils had gone, Aunt Charlotte turned toward the two who still kept their seats, and very gently she told Arabella how rude it was to laugh at another's error, and how equally rude for Reginald to reply in so saucy a manner.
“A little girl should be a little lady,” she said, “and a small boy should surely be a little gentleman.” ”

“ Uncle Harry was just strolling along the driveway. He walked into the kitchen, took the dirty tramp by the collar and marched him right out to the street,” and Flossie's cheeks glowed with pride for her dear Uncle Harry.
“Yes, and a moment after, he saw little Reginald fall off his bicycle, and you ought to have seen how tenderly he picked him up, and brushed off the dust, and he was quite as gentle as mamma would have been.”
“Oh, he's just fine,” said Mollie, “and I do wish he would visit our school on a day when Arabella's aunt would be there! I love to see him when he looks at her. ”

“ Nancy said.
“Of course you don't,” agreed Dorothy, “but you know Aunt Charlotte says that we are to be independent, and Arabella's anything but independent when she doesn't do her examples herself. It's puzzling, though; mamma says we mustn't notice her queer ways, and that we must be kind to her, and it doesn't seem kind to refuse to help her with her lessons.”
“Wait for us!” called a merry voice, and turning, they saw Nina and Jeanette running toward them. A third girl clasped their hands, and Dorothy knew that she must be their cousin, Lola Blessington. ”

“ Arabella asked, coolly.
“I guess it's worth telling,” said Patricia. “Say, you'll be at Dorothy Dainty's party, won't you?”
“Of course I'll be there; my costume is 'most done.”
“What's it going to be?”
“Why, don't you remember we are not to tell any one what we are to wear; not even the color of our dominoes?” Arabella asked in surprise.
“Well, we didn't promise not to tell,” said Patricia, “and, anyway, I'm going to tell you. Ma has made me a Spanish dress, all spangles, and red ribbons, and gold tinsel, and my domino that will cover it for the first of the evening will be bright yellow! ”

“ The little silver bell tinkled, and they turned to enter the cottage.
“Good-by,” they called to Patricia, who stood at the gate.
“Good-by,” she replied, then looking over her shoulder, she said:
“I'm glad I don't have to go to private school; it's too stupid.”
“The horrid, rude girl,” whispered Nina Earl, but Arabella surprised them all by saying:
“I think I'd like that Patricia What's-her-name; she isn't like everybody else.”
Reginald heard what Arabella said, and in a loud whisper informed her that he wouldn't go to school if all the girls were like Patricia. ”

“ That the very birds shall hear,
And, in envy, cease their lay
While your melody holds sway.”
As Jeanette chanted the verse, she waved her wand, and Dorothy, entering the circle beside her, sang a fairy song which delighted all who listened.
The woman beside Uncle Harry seemed ill at ease, crumpling her programme, and moving restlessly upon her seat as if the little play bored her. ”

“ When you have learned your lines, we will have our first rehearsal.”
“Hooray!” said Reginald, and although the girls laughed, they were quite as eagerly delighted as he.
They left the cottage, and as they walked down the avenue they talked of the pretty dialogue, each insisting that she liked her part best.
“But mine's the best,” said Reginald, “for I'm the only boy in it.”
“Mine's the best, for I'm the queen,” said Jeanette, and she held her head very high, as she looked toward her playmates.
“All the parts are nice,” Nancy said, “and we'll have a fine entertainment.” ”

“ Choose the friend you love the best.”
“Choose?” How could she choose? She never liked to do a pleasant thing for any one, and whomever she called into the ring would feel favored.
“Hurry, and choose some one, Arabella,” called Mollie Merton, but still Arabella stood sullenly staring at her shoes.
Mollie was ready again to urge Arabella to choose, when the gate flew open, and Reginald, breathless and excited, rushed in. Aunt Charlotte was standing in the walk, watching the pretty game. Reginald ran to her, holding out something very wet and dripping. ”

“ The two who sat upon the divan were talking in what they thought to be a very low tone, but when suddenly the music ceased, Patricia's voice could be plainly heard,
“Why, Arabella!” she said, and then, surprised at hearing her own voice, she said no more.
Reginald laughed softly, and Patricia turned to look at him, but of course could not guess who the red-cloaked figure might be. Oh, it was fun to be hiding behind the gay-colored dominoes! It was almost like hide-and-seek.
And now the beautiful queen was speaking.
“We will have a pretty march now,” she said. ”

“ Reginald proudly said, “but some of you girls will just have to tell; girls can't keep a secret.”
“We can keep a secret, Reginald Dean,” said Mollie, to which Flossie chimed in:
“Yes, indeed we can. I can't tell what I'm to be, because I don't know; mamma hasn't told me, but I do know what color I'm to wear, and I won't tell that!”
Reginald liked to tease.
“Somebody'll tell something, see 'f they don't!” he said, nodding and laughing.
It was now just a week from the day set for the party.
Arabella, hurrying along the avenue, tried to thrust her arms into the sleeves of her jacket. ”

“ The one child who would be left standing must pay a forfeit.
A stirring march was played, and the children walked around the chairs, and every time that they came to the end of the line they paused, believing that the music would cease, but the musicians played on and on. The laughing children marched gaily, when, in the middle of a lively strain, the music stopped, and they rushed for seats.
It was Nancy who found no chair, and she knew that she must pay a forfeit.
“What shall I do?” she asked, and Russell, who liked Nancy, asked if he might set the task for her. ”

“ A little murmur of delight passed over the class, and Aunt Charlotte smiled at their pleasure.
“I shall ask Dorothy to sing two songs for us; Nancy, I know, will be willing to do a fancy dance; Nina and Jeanette are learning a new duet for the piano, and I should be pleased to have that for another number on our programme. I have chosen a fine dialogue which will give a part to every girl, and also a boy's rôle for Reginald.” ”

“ You are all much younger than the pupils in the public schools who begin to study history, but we shall take it up in an easy, enjoyable way. I shall read to you from a finely written volume which I own, while you will try to write, from memory, what I have read.”
“What did I tell you?” whispered Reginald. “Now I guess you'll hear 'bout folks with their heads off!”
Katie put her hands over her ears, but Reginald's eyes were twinkling with delight. The girls would have to admit that his scrap of news was true! ”

“ Yes, that was just what it said; quarter-past one, and Mollie and Flossie were still at lunch. She remembered that they rarely came out to play in the afternoon before half-past two. She wondered where she would rather spend the time. At the cottage she could play with the kitten, get out the new game that Mrs. Dainty had given her, or read her newest book, but Dorothy's books were up in the playroom of the stone house, and she was always free to read them. No, she would not stay indoors. She would go out and be ready to greet her playmates as soon as she saw them running down the avenue. ”

“ She strolled down the driveway, intending to wait at the great gate for her playmates to appear.
The gates were wide open, and as Nancy looked out, some one rushed past her. The plainly dressed young woman turned to look at the little girl.
“Oh, Nancy!” she cried, and “Why, Sue!” cried Nancy.
“D'ye live in that el'gant place Nancy? Why, it looks like er palace!”
“Mrs. Dainty lives there, and I'm there 'most all the time playing with Dorothy. I live in that dear little stone cottage with Aunt Charlotte,” Nancy said, “but Sue, how happened you to be here? Aren't you working for the doctor?” ”

“ Dainty and Aunt Charlotte will receive, and Dorothy will walk up to greet them, so neither of us will even know who Dorothy is.”
“What fun!” cried Jeanette, and the little group laughed gaily.
“Any boys besides me invited?” questioned Reginald.
“Yes, indeed, there are ever so many boys invited,” Dorothy said. “My cousins Russell and Arthur are coming, and three of papa's nephews will be here. I've never met them, but they're coming for a little visit of a few days, and I'm to have my party while they're here.” ”

“ Around the great drawing-room in graceful figures the gorgeous little procession moved. How bright their colors appeared, the light shimmering upon a pink cloak beside a blue one, a green cloak walking with a yellow one, a scarlet one with a white, a buff one with bright cherry-hued domino!
But the greatest excitement came when, after the march, the colored cloaks were cast aside, and the laughing playmates were revealed. ”