United States or Christmas Island ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
But though all this beauty and elegance impressed Patty like a dream of Fairyland, she paid little heed to it, for she was so shocked and disturbed by the shrieks from within, which were now distinctly audible as those of a child. "Goodness me!" exclaimed Ethelyn, just as Patty could stand it no longer and was about to ask what it meant, "what can be the matter with Florelle this time?
Patty felt quite helpless in the midst of this commotion. She had been accustomed to obey willingly her father's lightest wish, and Ethelyn's impertinence amazed her. As for little Florelle, she thought the child was quite old enough to be reasoned with, and taught not to cry so violently over every trifle.
Florelle looked like a fairy in a short little white frock, all fine muslin and lace, with ruffles and frills that stood out in every direction. The overdressed little midget was delighted with her appearance, and pranced around in front of the mirror admiring herself. Reginald too, considered himself very fine in his black velvet suit, with a great white collar and immense white silk tie.
"But brother can't give it to you, baby, he's eaten it," said her father, vainly trying to console her with other dainties. But Florelle continued to scream, and Mrs. St Clair was obliged to summon the nurse and have her taken up-stairs. "Well, that's a relief," said Ethelyn, as the struggling child was carried away. "I told you you'd hear her yell pretty often, Patricia."
Reginald is a nice boy, but he's sort of pompous and conceited, and thinks he's better than any one else in the world. Little Florelle is a dear, but she cries so easily that I can't have much fun with her. But there, now I've told you all the bads, I'll tell you some of the goods.
"And I am very glad to be here, Aunt Isabel," said Patty, and just then she was interrupted by the violent entrance of what seemed to be a small pink cyclone. This was the eight year old Florelle, and without a doubt it was she who was responsible for the shrieks Patty had heard. The child wore a short, beruffled dress of pink silk, a huge pink sash, and pink stockings and slippers.
"Oh-h-h!" screamed Florelle, bursting into tears, "he took my cakie, he did, give it to me!" and she began pounding her brother with her small fists. But Reginald had eaten it, and no other cake on the plate would pacify the angry child. "No, no," she cried, "I want that same one it had a green nut on it, and I wa-a-ant it!"
Ethelyn was heart-broken at the thought of parting, and flinging her arms round Patty's neck, burst into tears. This was enough for Florelle, who promptly followed suit, and set up one of her very best howls. With a good-bye kiss to his niece, Uncle Robert picked up the screaming child and marshaled his family off of the boat, and Patty was left alone with her new-found cousin.
"No, I don't want candy, I want to go to New York, I want to go I do-o-o," she wound up with a prolonged wail. "Good gracious, Florelle," said Reginald, "do stop that fearful yowling. If you don't, as soon as I go down town I'll send a bear back here to eat you up." At this Florelle screamed louder than ever, and had to be taken away from the table.
Clair and Florelle went in the parade also, but they contented themselves with the family sleigh, which of course was both handsome and elaborate. They had spent all their energies on the girls' appearance and they were very proud of the result.
Word Of The Day