human
Then there will be a dance, said Miss Cunningham.
gpt
How are you to amuse yourselves else?
human
It would be very nice, replied Margaret;
gpt
Oh yes; to be sure--I know all that. Of course, you were all very miserable, and cried a great deal at the time. I remember I was dreadfully wretched when my little brother William died. Indeed, mamma said she never knew any one with such strong feelings in her life. But, then, it is all past now; and it is right to be cheerful, and try and forget it.
human
I wish you would ask mamma, said Margaret,
gpt
She would listen to you, at any rate; and she could not be angry at any proposal from you. It certainly would be a good way of amusing them.
human
I don't mind, in the least, asking, answered Miss Cunningham.
gpt
I never did mind it, from a child. Mamma says it surprises her to see how little of the stupid shyness I have, which makes other girls so disagreeable. Let me see,--I shall wear my white silk, I think; there is a blonde fall to go with it, which makes it look beautiful. That or the pink crape. Pink suits my complexion best; but then it is not quite so dressy. There is a picture of some great lady in the saloon at Rochford, which papa says is just like me in my pink crape. Mary Queen of Scots, I think it is, or Queen Elizabeth--I don't know which; only it is a queen of some kind. What shall you wear?
human
Oh! said Margaret, sadly,
gpt
Of course she will. You can't possibly have a dance without a new dress; nobody ever heard of such a thing. My white silk is quite new; and the pink crape I only put on one evening for papa to see. We shall dance, I suppose, in the hall. And how many persons do you think there will be?