Page:Carroll - Sylvie and Bruno.djvu/383

XXIII] The father, in order to do his part in a conversation that seemed only fit for lunatics, replied "Whisper it to me, dear."

But she didn't whisper (these children never did anything they were told): she said, quite loud, "Of course not! Everybody knows what Dolly wants!"

And little Dolly shrugged her shoulders, and said, with a pretty pettishness, "Now, Father, you're not to tease! You know I don't want to be bride's-maid to anybody!"

"And Dolly's to be the fourth," was her father's idiotic reply.

Here Number Three put in her oar. "Oh, it is settled. Mother dear, really and truly! Mary told us all about it. It's to be next Tuesday four weeks——and three of her cousins are coming to be bride's-maids——and——"

"She doesn't forget it, Minnie!" the Mother laughingly replied. "I do wish they'd get it settled! I don't like long engagements."

And Minnie wound up the conversation——if so chaotic a series of remarks deserves the name——with "Only think! We passed the Cedars this morning, just exactly as Mary

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