Mrs. Seabrook smiled, but there was a sad yearning in her soft
eyes as they rested upon her helpless child.
"I hardly think it would do. I am afraid it could not be
arranged," she doubtfully replied.
"Indeed it could, and very easily. I have a lovely idea!" said
Katherine, eagerly. "Let her take the Calla Lily--no one has
chosen that because the flowers are too stiff to trim a dress
gracefully. But Dorothy's chair could be transformed into a
chariot of lilies, and I am sure they could be so arranged about
her that she would look like a fairy in the midst of them. If you
are willing I will talk it over with the girls. We will manage
everything, so that she will not be wearied with any of the
preparations, and I will take charge of her while she is on the
stage. I know that she would have a beautiful time."
"Oh, mamma, if I only might!" breathed Dorothy, rapturously, and
carried away by the attractive prospect.
"Well, we will talk it over with papa; if he consents I will not
say no, and certainly Miss Minturn's suggestion is very alluring,"
replied her mother, as she bestowed a grateful smile on Katherine.
Prof. Seabrook could see no objection to the plan, and as
everybody was always glad to contribute to the enjoyment of the
sick girl, the idea was eagerly adopted, and Miss Dorothy was at
once chosen to be the central figure in the tableau.
It proved to be a most effective one, with the bevy of gorgeously
garlanded maidens artistically grouped around their lily queen,
who entered heartily into the spirit of the scene.
The child's chair had indeed been transformed! No one would have
recognized it, covered as it was with a wealth of pure white
blossoms and dark-green leaves, for it looked more like the throne
of a fairy than like anything so ordinary and unpretentious. Mrs.
Seabrook, who possessed exquisite taste, had so massed the
blossoms around her and daintily perched an inverted one on her
head that the effect was exceedingly beautiful and picturesque.
Katherine, who had chosen to be "Lady Poppea," made a brilliant
foil, on one side, with her garlands and basket of vivid scarlet
poppies; while another junior, bedecked with fuchsias, stood on
the opposite side and held an umbrella, made of and fringed with
the same flowers, protectingly over her; and with a score or more
others forming a variegated background, the scene was brilliant
and gorgeous beyond description.
The applause was tumultuous; for, aside from the exceeding beauty
of the picture, every heart in the audience was touched by the
happy little face looking out at them from the midst of her
devoted subjects, and the curtain was raised and lowered several
times before they could be satisfied.
Then the proud and happy juniors hastily divested themselves of
their gay trappings and hurried away to join their friends and
trip to inspiring music in the main hall below; thus Katherine was
left with Dorothy alone on the stage.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account