English fiction -- 20th century; Humorous stories, English; Short stories, English
As soon as the messengers had gone, my sisters began to get ready
for the ball. I knew I shouldn't be able to go, because I haven't
got a frock, and I simply COULDN'T wear anything of theirs, they are
so much bigger than I am. They finished dressing DOWNSTAIRS for some
reason, where anybody might have seen them--they are so funny about
things like that--and we had a lot of laughter about the clothes
being too tight and so on. I think anything like that is so amusing.
Then they went off, and here I am all alone. It is getting dark, and
so I am going to cheer myself up by singing a little.
(LATER).--I AM GOING TO THE BALL! My Fairy Godmother, whom I had
often heard about, suddenly came to see us. I told her my sisters
were out, and she asked where they had gone, and wouldn't I like to
go too, so of course I said I should LOVE it. So I am going, and she
has got a frock for me and everything. She is very kind, but not
quite so FAIRY-LIKE as I expected.
WEDNESDAY.--I have had a LOVELY time, and I think I am in love. I
got to the Ball just as the juggling and the ventriloquism were
over--it must be a delightful Court to live in--and there was SUCH a
sensation as I appeared. The Prince singled me out at once. He has
the pinkest cheeks and the reddest lips of any man I know, and his
voice is soft and gentle, and oh! I love him. One wants a man to be
manly and a woman to be womanly, and I don't think I should love a
man if he were at all like Sister Fred or Sister Bert. The Prince is
QUITE different. We were alone most of the time, and we sang several
songs together. My sisters never recognized me; it was most
surprising. I heard Sister Fred telling a very fine-looking
gentleman a story about a lodger (whatever that is) who had a bit of
a head; it sounded very humorous. Wherever Sister Fred goes there is
sure to be fun. I am indeed a lucky girl to have two such sisters
and to be in love with a Prince. Sister Bert sat down on the floor
twice--it was most amusing.
A terrible thing happened just as the clock struck twelve. All my
clothes turned into rags, and I just RAN out of the room, I was so
frightened. Then I remembered what my Fairy Godmother had said about
leaving before twelve o'clock. I suppose she knew what would happen
if I didn't. I'm afraid I left a glass slipper behind--I hope she
won't mind about it.
Well, I've had a lovely time. Even if I never see the Prince again,
I shall always have this to look back to. I don't mind WHAT happens
now.
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