the ball. Such nonsense he talked--didn't he, Lucy? Well, Mamma
gave way, and said she'd persuade the Major. Papa was rather grumpy
at first, you know, Lucy, but we coaxed him over at last. Oh, it was
such fun! I danced first with Frank Hollis--just out of gratitude,
you know, and then with Captain Murphy, and then--O Lucy, do you
remember _who_?--and I had a silk dress which Mamma brought from
India, trimmed just like yours, Miss Merton, only with four rows of
lace, because I am taller, you know, and a berthe of--'

Elizabeth could endure this no longer, and broke in, 'And pray,
Harriet, did you learn the book of fashions by heart?'

'Not quite,' said Harriet, with provoking obtuseness, or good humour;
'I did very nearly, though, when I was making my dress. Now, Lizzie,
do not you wish you were out?'

'No, not in the least,' said Elizabeth, by this time quite out of
patience; 'I think society a nuisance, and I am glad to be free of it
as long as I can.'

'Lizzie,' said Helen gravely, 'you are talking rhodomontade.'

'By no means, Helen,' said Elizabeth; 'it is my serious opinion,
that, unless you can find real friends, minds that suit you, you
should keep to yourself, and let bores and geese keep to themselves.'

'Becoming yourself one of the interesting tribe of bears, or perhaps
of crabs,' whispered Anne.

'Well, what an odd girl you are!' cried Harriet; 'well, if ever--!'