"Yes, I have good hair," said Mrs. Pepper, "and I'm thankful for it. No
one looks dressed up, in my opinion, with a ragged head. The finer the
gown, the worse it makes careless hair look. No, Polly, I wouldn't wear
the brown dress to-night."

"Why, Mamsie!" exclaimed Polly in surprise, "I thought you'd say it was
just the thing when only the girls and Jappy's friends are coming to the
play. Besides, I don't want to look too dressed up; the Princess ought
to be the only one in a white gown."

"You won't be too conspicuous," said her mother; adding slowly, "you
might wear the nun's veiling well enough as you haven't any part in the
play, Polly," and she scanned the rosy face keenly.

"I don't want any part," cried Polly; "they all play better than I do.
Somebody must see that everything goes off well behind the scenes;
that's my place, Mamsie. Besides, you forget I am to play my sonata."

"I don't forget," said her mother; "all the more reason you should wear
the white gown, then."

"All right," cried Polly, merrily dashing across the room to Felicie,
"put it over my head, do. Well, I'm glad you think it is right to wear
it, Mamsie," as the soft folds fell around her. "I just love this dress.
Oh, Auntie! how perfectly exquisite!"

Mrs. Whitney came in smilingly and put a kiss on the tall girl's cheek.
"Do I look nicely?" she asked naively, turning around under the
chandelier.