human
Oh, Felicie! I don't want that dress, said Polly as she ran into her room after dinner, to Mrs. Whitney's French maid,
gpt
I'm going to wear my brown cashmere.
human
Oh, Mademoiselle!
gpt
Oh, no, Polly! I wouldn't, began Mrs. Pepper, coming in,
human
Mamsie! cried Polly, breaking away from the mirror where she was pulling into place the bright brown waves over her forehead,
gpt
Madame has ze fine hair, said Felicie,
human
Yes, I have good hair, said Mrs. Pepper,
gpt
Why, Mamsie! exclaimed Polly in surprise,
human
I thought you'd say it was just the thing when only the girls and Jappy's friends are coming to the play. Besides, I don't want to look too dressed up; the Princess ought to be the only one in a white gown.
gpt
You won't be too conspicuous, said her mother; adding slowly,
human
I don't want any part, cried Polly;
gpt
I don't forget, said her mother;
human
All right, cried Polly, merrily dashing across the room to Felicie,
gpt
as the soft folds fell around her.
human
I just love this dress. Oh, Auntie! how perfectly exquisite!
gpt
Do I look nicely?
human
Nicely? exclaimed Polly, lifting her hands,
gpt
I am glad you like it, said Mrs. Whitney hastily.
human
Now, Polly, don't you worry about anything; I'll see that the last things are done.
gpt
Well, I am worrying, confessed Polly, quite in a tremble;
human
I must see to one corner of the private box for the boys. You know the last India shawl you lent me wasn't pinned up straight and I couldn't fix it, for Van wanted me just then, and I couldn't get away without his suspecting something. Oh, Auntie! if you would see to that.
gpt
I will, said Mrs. Whitney, not daring to look at Mrs. Pepper,
human
How good you are, cried Polly with a sigh of relief.
gpt
Oh, Auntie! we couldn't do anything without you.
human
And you don't need to go into the drawing-room at all, said Mrs. Whitney, going to the door.
gpt
Just keep behind the scenes, and get your actors and Phronsie ready, and your mother and I will receive your friends. Come, Mrs. Pepper.
human
That is splendid, cried Polly, left behind with the maid,
gpt
There is a dreadful commotion in there among the audience, said Jasper, out in the green room;
human
I imagine every one who had an 'invite,' has come. But I don't see how they can make such a noise.
gpt
Oh! a few girls and boys make just about as much confusion as a good many, observed Polly.
human
Jasper, wouldn't you like to see Joel's eyes when Aunt Whitney leads him into the private box? she allowed herself time to exclaim.
gpt
Yes, laughed Jasper, pulling out his watch from beneath his dragon-skin;
human
O dear, dear! cried Polly, flying here and there to bestow last touches on the different members of her cast.
gpt
Now, Clare, you must remember not to give such a shriek when you go on, mustn't he, Jappy? Just a dull, sullen roar, your part is.
human
Well, I'm nearly dead under here, cried Clare, glaring beneath his dragon face.
gpt
I'll shriek, or roar, just as I like, so!
human
Very well, said Polly,
gpt
I don't know but it's as well, after all, that you are cross; you'll be more effective, she added coolly.
human
Let me see--oh! the door of the cave wants a bit more of gray moss; it looks thin where it hangs over. You get it, will you, Hannah?
gpt
And just one thing more, scanning hastily the stage setting,
human
going toward the front of the stage,
gpt
What, what?