Mr. Ferguson, breathless, put his hand up to his cheek, as if the
unwonted touch had left some soft, fresh warmth behind it.

Elizabeth did not wait to see the pleased and startled gesture
she gathered up her fluffy tarlatan skirt, dashed out into the
garden, through the green gate in the wall, and bursting into the
house next door, stood in the hall and called up-stairs: "David!
Come! Hurry! Quick!" She was stamping her foot with excitement.

David, who had had a perspiring and angry quarter of an hour with
his first white tie, came out of his room and looked over the
banisters, both hands at his throat. "Hello! What on earth is the
matter?"

"David--see!" she said, and stood, quivering and radiant, all her
whiteness billowing about her.

"See what?" David said, patiently.

"A long dress!"

"A _what_?" said David; then looking down at her, turning
and twisting and preening herself in the dark hall like some
shining white bird, he burst into a shout of laughter.

Elizabeth's face reddened. "I don't see anything to laugh at."

"You look like a little girl dressed up!"