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Ballman returned home in a state of considerable elation at the prospect of carrying off the palm, and humiliating her rival at the same time. Mrs. Claudine, though a little vain, and fond of excelling, was a woman of kind feelings, and entirely superior to the petty jealousies that annoyed Mrs. Ballman, and soured her towards all who succeeded in rivalling her in matters of taste and fashion.
Ballman had been chagrined at her leading off in new fashions once or twice before; and the fact, evident now, that she knew of her reception of the bonnet, and Kitty's anxiety that she should not wear it on Sunday, led her to the conviction that there was some plot against her. At first, she determined to appear in her new bonnet, disregardful of Kitty's warning.
Ballman, after surveying, for many minutes, the effect of her new bonnet, becoming more and more pleased with it every moment, and more and more satisfied that it would "take," left her room, and was descending the stairs for the purpose of joining the family, who were awaiting her below.
The fact was, Mrs. Claudine had pitched upon the very bonnet Mrs. Ballman had ordered, and her earnestness about having it made in time to wear on the next day, put it almost beyond her power to say no. If she were to tell her that Mrs. Ballman had ordered the same bonnet, it would, she knew, settle the matter.
Ballman, who from the interest she felt in carrying out her intentions, had entirely recovered from the painful disappointment at first experienced. Saturday brought the bonnet, and a beautiful one it was. A few natural sighs were expended over the elegant affair, and then other feelings came in to chase away regrets at not having been first to secure the article.
The veil of a pause hung between them, Miss Neugass unfolding her legs and letting them hang over the side of the bed, as if she would flee the moment. "Why, I'm no critic, Miss Parlow. All I inherit is some of my father's natural musical instinct." "You're evading me, like Ballman does! Tell me! You may save me as you saved yourself. Am I chasing a phantom?" "I swear to you I don't know.
Where are the bonnets you spoke of just now?" The milliner brought forth a number of pattern cards and plates, and pointed out two bonnets, either of which, in her judgment, was more beautiful than the one Mrs. Claudine had received. "Far handsomer," was the brief remark with which Mrs. Ballman approved the milliner's judgment. "And now," she added, "can you get me up one of these by Sunday?"
On the day previous, Friday, Mrs. Ballman called upon a fashionable milliner, and held with her the following conversation. "You have heard of Mrs. Claudine's new bonnet, I presume?" "Yes, madam," replied the milliner. "Do you think it will take?" asked Mrs. Ballman. "I do." "You have not the pattern?" "Oh, yes. I received one a week ago." "You did!" "Yes. But some one must introduce it. As Mrs.
Ballman, dressed up in her best, which was not saying much for the taste and elegance of her appearance. "Are you all ready?" asked her mistress. "Yes, mum." "Very well, Kitty, here's the bonnet. Now, remember, you are to go into the pew just in front of ours. The Armburner's are all out of town, and there will be no one to occupy it."
There never was any doubt about Millie." "Oh, Miss Neugass, you frighten me! What if my arm is too short? Your sister's teacher, Ballman, to whom your mother sent me, says so little." "Ballman is a great voice builder, but he doesn't concern himself with the future of his pupils. He's a dear old fogy with a single-track mind." "What did he used to say of your sister?"
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