Edgar into such a
flutter that she prodded me with pins. I'll simply have to ask Father to
increase my allowance; cheap white silk, clouded with tulle, was the best
I could manage.
"H'm--Empire; simple and graceful," pronounced Oracle. "Square neck,
Helen, or round?"
"Why--I've never worn a low dress--not really low," I said, longing but
dubious. "Pa says--"
"Nonsense!"
"A shame!" chimed Mrs. Edgar.
And it would have been a shame to hide my neck and arms. I laughed when
they cut away their interfering linings from the white column of my
throat, and left across my shoulders only wisps of tulle. And last night,
when I came to dress, I laughed again, and kissed the entrancing flesh, so
firm and soft and gleaming faintly pink, and then I blushed because Aunt
Marcia saw me do it. I worship the miracle of my own fairness. I could
scarcely bear to put gloves on, even.
Miss Baker gathered all my shining hair into the loose knot that suits me,
and put roses at my girdle and into the misty tulle about my shoulders.
Ethel fitted on my slippers, and brought her fan and her lace
handkerchief, and when I had smiled for one last time at the parted
scarlet lips and the brilliant eyes that smiled back at me from the
mirror, and had turned reluctantly from my dressing table, I was still
joyous at remembrance of the light, the grace, the marvel of the vision I
had seen reflected, that had seemed fairly to float in the dancing rose
light of its own happiness.
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