_ THREE o'clock came at last, although 'Toinette had become fully
persuaded it never would; and the little guests arrived as
punctually as juvenile guests are apt to arrive. Later on in life,
people either expect less pleasure from meeting each other, or are
more willing to defer securing it; or perhaps it is that they are
willing to allow their friends the first chance of appropriating the
happiness in store for all. If none of these, what is the reason,
children, that, at grown parties, the struggle is to see who shall
arrive last, while at ours it is to see who shall come first?
'Toinette was dressed, and in the drawing-room ready to receive her
little friends, by half-past two; and very nice she looked in her
light-blue merino frock, with its pretty embroideries, her long
golden hair curled in the feathery ringlets Susan was so proud of
making, her sleeves looped up with new bracelets, and a little
embroidered handkerchief just peeping out of her pockets
Mrs. Legrange, who sat reading by the fire, watched with some
amusement and more anxiety the movements of the little beauty, who
walked slowly up and down the room, twisting her head to look now at
one shoulder and now at the other, now at the flow of her skirts
behind, and now at the dainty fit of her bronze cloth gaiter-boots.
At last, stopping before the long mirror, Miss 'Toinette began
practicing the courtesy she had learned at dancing-school, finishing
by throwing a kiss from the tips of her fingers to the graceful
little shadow in the mirror.
"She will be spoiled, entirely spoiled, before she is a year older,"
thought the mother anxiously. "She is so beautiful! and every one
tells her of it. What shall I do?"
But sometimes, when our task seems too difficult for us, God takes
it into his own hand, and does it in his own way, though that way to
us be strange and painful.
While Mrs. Legrange still hesitated whether to speak, and what to
say, the doorbell rang, and 'Toinette rushed away to meet her
friends, and take them to the dressing room, where they were to
leave their outside garments; and the mother laid aside her book,
and prepared to help in entertaining the little people.
Another ring at the bell; another troop of little feet, and peal of
merry voices; another and another; and, following the last, a firmer
step upon the stair, and the appearance in the drawing-room of a
tall, fine-looking young man, of twenty two or three years old, who
came forward, offering his hand to Mrs. Legrange.
"Why, Tom," said she, "did you really come?"
"As you see, Cousin Fanny. Paul gave me the invitation, with my
little wife's love; and how could I decline?"
"I am sure it is very good of you to come and help entertain; but I
am afraid it will be a sad bore. Miss Minnie Wall, the oldest of the
young ladies, is but just fourteen; and Bessie Rider, the youngest,
is not yet six."
"But I came to visit my little wife," persisted Mr. Burroughs,
laughing gayly.
"Here she is, then, with all the rest behind her;" and, as the
little hostess caught sight of her new guest, she flew toward him,
crying,--
"Oh, my little wife has come!--my little, wife!"
Every one laughed, except the young man thus oddly addressed, who
gravely extended his hand, saying,--
"Miss 'Toinette, allow me to wish you many happy returns of this
fortunate day."
'Toinette looked at him a moment in surprise, then, glancing at the
other guests, said innocently,--
"I guess you talk that way because the girls are here; but I like
the way you are always, best."
This time Tom laughed as loud as the rest, and, catching the child
in his arms, kissed her a dozen times, saying,--
"That is it, Sunshine. Let us be natural, and have a good time. Get
the table-cloth, and make an elephant of me." _