University of Virginia Library

2. CHAPTER II.
THE LITTLE WIFE.

Three o'clock came at last, although 'Toinette had become
fully persuaded it never would; and the little guests
arrived as punctually as juvenile guests are apt to arrive.
Later on in life, people either expect less pleasure from meeting
each other, or are more willing to defer securing it; or
perhaps it is that they are willing to allow their friends the
first chance of appropriating the happiness in store for all.
If none of these, what is the reason, children, that, at grown
parties, the struggle is to see who shall arrive last, while at
ours it is to see who shall come first?

'Toinette was dressed, and in the drawing-room ready to
receive her little friends, by half-past two; and very nice
she looked in her light-blue merino frock, with its pretty
embroideries, her long golden hair curled in the feathery
ringlets Susan was so proud of making, her sleeves looped
up with the new bracelets, and a little embroidered handkerchief
just peeping out of her pocket.

Mrs. Legrange, who sat reading by the fire, watched with
some amusement and more anxiety the movements of the
little beauty, who walked slowly up and down the room,
twisting her head to look now at one shoulder and now at
the other, now at the flow of her skirts behind, and now at
the dainty fit of her bronze cloth gaiter-boots. At last,
stopping before the long mirror, Miss 'Toinette began practising
the courtesy she had learned at dancing-school, finishing
by throwing a kiss from the tips of her fingers to the
graceful little shadow in the mirror.

“She will be spoiled, entirely spoiled, before she is a year
older,” thought the mother anxiously. “She is so beautiful!
and every one tells her of it. What shall I do?”

But sometimes, when our task seems too difficult for us,
God takes it into his own hand, and does it in his own way,
though that way to us be strange and painful.

While Mrs. Legrange still hesitated whether to speak,
and what to say, the door-bell rang, and 'Toinette rushed
away to meet her friends, and take them to the dressing-room,
where they were to leave their outside garments; and
the mother laid aside her book, and prepared to help in entertaining
the little people.

Another ring at the bell; another troop of little feet, and
peal of merry voices; another and another; and, following
the last, a firmer step upon the stair, and the appearance in
the drawing-room of a tall, fine-looking young man, of
twenty two or three years old, who came forward, offering
his hand to Mrs. Legrange.

“Why, Tom,” said she, “did you really come?”

“As you see, Cousin Fanny. Paul gave me the invitation,
with my little wife's love; and how could I
decline?”

“I am sure it is very good of you to come and help entertain;
but I am afraid it will be a sad bore. Miss Minnie
Wall, the oldest of the young ladies, is but just fourteen;
and Bessie Rider, the youngest, is not yet six.”

“But I came to visit my little wife,” persisted Mr. Burroughs,
laughing gayly.

“Here she is, then, with all the rest behind her;” and, as
the little hostess caught sight of her new guest, she flew
toward him, crying,—

“Oh, my little wife has come! — my little wife!”

Every one laughed, except the young man thus oddly
addressed, who gravely extended his hand, saying, —

“Miss 'Toinette, allow me to wish you many happy
returns of this fortunate day.”

'Toinette looked at him a moment in surprise, then, glancing
at the other guests, said innocently, —

“I guess you talk that way because the girls are here;
but I like the way you are always, best.”

This time Tom laughed as loud as the rest, and, catching
the child in his arms, kissed her a dozen times, saying, —

“That is it, Sunshine. Let us be natural, and have a
good time. Get the table-cloth, and make an elephant of
me.”