for play, in gingham frocks and white aprons, were quite dazzled at the
appearance of their guest.

"Oh, Imogen, you look just like a young lady in a story!" said simple
Katy; whereupon Imogen tossed her head and rustled her skirts about more
than ever.

Somehow, with these fine clothes, Imogen seemed to have put on a fine
manner, quite different from the one she used every day. You know some
people always do, when they go out visiting. You would almost have
supposed that this was a different Imogen, who was kept in a box most of
the time, and taken out for Sundays and grand occasions. She swam about,
and diddled, and lisped, and looked at herself in the glass, and was
generally grown-up and airy. When Aunt Izzie spoke to her, she fluttered
and behaved so queerly, that Clover almost laughed; and even Katy, who
could see nothing wrong in people she loved, was glad to carry her away
to the playroom.

"Come out to the bower," she said, putting her arm round the blue
barege waist.

"A bower!" cried Imogen. "How sweet!" But when they reached the
asparagus boughs her face fell. "Why it hasn't any roof, or pinnacles,
or any fountain!" she said.

"Why no, of course not," said Clover, staring, "we made it ourselves."

"Oh!" said Imogen. She was evidently disappointed. Katy and Clover felt
mortified; but as their visitor did not care for the bower, they tried
to think of something else.