United States or Senegal ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Floretta leaned forward as soon as she was seated and gazed at her with astonishment, and that deepening of amiability and general sweetness which one can imagine in the face of a doll after persistent scrutiny. Ellen smiled decorously, for she was not sure how much smiling was permissible in school.
Still Ellen hesitated, looking at the little package and feeling her father's and mother's eyes on her face. Finally she untied the cord and took out the jeweller's case from the wrapping-paper. "My, you've got one too, I bet!" whispered Floretta.
Constance was not impervious to feminine reason, and here she was. "Has Miss Larue gone?" she asked when at last she was seated in a comfortable chair again sipping a little aromatic cup of coffee. "No, she's resting in one of the little dressing rooms." She followed Floretta down the corridor. Each little compartment had its neat, plain white enameled bed, a dresser and a chair.
"I don't," replied Ellen. She tried to laugh, but she felt her lips stiff. And unconquerable feeling of desolation was coming over her, and in spite of herself her tone was somewhat like that of a child who sees another with all the cake. "I suppose you know Floretta got married last night," said Abby, moving off with Willy Jones.
Bring it here carefully. I have a sheet of paper, also, which I am going to show you. I had already seen the little woman, Mr. Warrington, whom you have treated so unjustly. She was here trying vainly to win you back by those arts which she thinks must appeal to you." Floretta returned with the bottle and placed it on the secretary beside Constance.
Constance glanced up quickly as Floretta mentioned the name of the popular young actress. Stella Larue was a pretty girl on whom the wild dissipation of the night life of New York was just beginning to show its effects.
"On the contrary," rippled Stella, then added, "You're going to stay? Let me tell you something. Have Floretta do your hair. She's the best here. Then come around to see me in the dormitory if I'm here when you are through, won't you?"
There was no suspense, no doubt, no jealousy, only utter acquiescence of single-heartedness, admiration, and trust. She thought Abby Atkins and Floretta Vining lovely and dependable; she parted from them at night without a pang, and looked forward blissfully to the meeting next morning.
Often when some happy boy had secured a short monopoly of Ellen, his rival took up with Floretta, and she was content, being one of those purely feminine things who have no pride when the sweets of life are concerned.
Ellen extended hers, though involuntarily, for there was no conscious thirst for power in her. On her first morning at school, she seated herself at her desk and looked forth from the golden cloud of her curls, her eyes full of innocent contemplation, her mouth corners gravely drooping. She knew one little girl who sat not far from her. The little girl's name was Floretta Vining.
Word Of The Day