Ten o'clock! Well, I'm sure I can't help it!
I'm up--go away from the door!
Now, children, I'll speak to your mother
If you pound there like that any more.
How tired I do feel?--Where's that cushion?--
I don't want to move from this chair;
I wish Marie'd make her appearance!
I really _can't_ do my own hair.
I wish I'd not danced quite so often--
I knew I'd feel tired! but it's hard
To refuse a magnificent dancer
If you have a place left on your card.
I was silly to wear that green satin,
It's a shame that I've spotted it so--
All down the front breadth--it's just ruined--
No trimming will hide that, I know.
That's me! Have a costume imported,
And spoil it the very first night!--
I might make an overskirt of it,
That shade looks so lovely with white.
How horrid my eyes look! Good gracious!
I hope that I didn't catch cold
Sitting out on the stairs with Will Stacy;
If Ma knew that, wouldn't she scold!
She says he's so fast--well, who isn't?--
Dear! where is Marie?--how it rains!--
I don't care; he's real nice and handsome.
And his talk sounds as if he'd some brains.
I do wonder what _is_ the reason,
That good men are all like Joe Price,
So poky, and stiff, and conceited,
And fast ones are always so nice.--
Just see how Joe acted last evening!
He didn't come near me at all,
Because I danced twice with Will Stacy
That night at the Charity ball.
I didn't care two pins to do it;
But Joe said I mustn't,--and so--
I just did--he isn't my master,
Nor sha'n't be, I'd like him to know.
I don't think he looked at me even,
Though just to please him I wore green,--
And I'd saved him three elegant dances,--
_I_ wouldn't have acted so mean.
The way he went on with Nell Hadley;
Dear me! just as if I would care!
I'd like to see those two get married,
They'd make a congenial pair!
I'm getting disgusted with parties;--
I think I shall stop going out;
What's the use of this fussing for people
I don't care the least bit about.
I _did_ think that Joe had some sense once;
But, my, he's just like all the men!
And the way that I've gone on about him,--
Just see if I do it again!
Only wait till the next time I see him,
I'll pay him back; wont I be cool!
I've a good mind to drop him completely--
I'll--yes I will--go back to school.
The bell!--who can that be, I wonder!--
Let's see--I declare! why, it's Joe!--
How long they are keeping him waiting!
Good gracious! why don't the girl go!--
Yes--say I'll be down in a minute--
Quick, Marie, and do up my hair!--
Not that bow--the green one--Joe likes it--
How slow you are!--I'll pin it--there!