"That is the most becoming for a little girl; it is what Lucy will wear." The evening arrived, and Lavinia was quite shocked at the plebeian simplicity of Madeline and Lucy. "Why did you not wear one of your silk dresses, Madeline? this is a full dress party. I think you might have paid me the compliment." "I came as a little girl, Lavinia, not as a young lady." "You are the greatest simpleton that I ever saw, Madeline, with a father rich enough, and indulgent enough to give you anything you want, and you care no more for dress than a little country girl." "That is just what I am, Lavinia." The sight of so many over-dressed children aping all the airs and graces of grown men and women amused our little girl, and no sooner was she at home, than she commenced mimicking the folly that she had witnessed. "Aunty, there was one of the most terrible gluttons there among these would-be ladies that I ever met with. She ate of everything upon the table, every variety of ice-cream and cake, and jelly, and confectionery; she ate oysters, and drank champagne; and to crown all, she filled her pockets with choice bon-bons; and when the candied fruit-basket was broken, took her share of that. I wonder how she got home; I know that she was deadly sick, for she looked as pale as a ghost. I'd rather sail on the lake back of our house with two or three little girls, than go to a dozen grand parties like that. You ought to have seen Lavinia, Aunt Clara, flounced to the waist, quantities of jewelry, hair dressed by a fashionable hair-dresser, and she bowed and courtsied about all the evening, as if she were twenty-one, instead of thirteen." "My dear Madeline, will you ever remember that you were entertained last evening by Lavinia, and that you should not indulge in such free remarks?" "I can't help it, Aunt Clara; I hate affectation, and despise flirts; a flirting child is perfectly horrid." "These are strong expressions, my dear child; I do not think that the occasion calls for them." "I expect, aunt, that I shall have to take Lavinia home with me. Aunt Raymond hinted it last night; but I must have Lucy; shan't I, Aunt Clara?" "We will see, my dear; I should like Lucy very much to spend a few weeks in the country. I think that she needs the change." "Will you go with me to-morrow to a good artist? I promised to take some of my likenesses home. Mrs. Bruce would be so disappointed." "And who is Mrs. Bruce, Maddy?" "She is one of my best friends, but she is very poor, aunt; she has to do plain sewing, and go to market for her living; she has two such good children, one named Roland, he is so good and so wise; they have taught me so much, Aunt Clara; and then she has a daughter Effie, such a dear girl; they are Scotch people, aunt, you would like them so much." "Is Mrs. Bruce a lady, Maddy?" asked her aunt.