She thought Mary Isabel ought to brush them straight back , and Mary Isabel did so faithfully a dozen times a day ; and in ten minutes they crept down again , kinking defiance to Louisa , who might make Mary Isabel submit to her in all things but had no power over naturally curly hair . Louisa had never had any trouble with her own hair ; it was straight and sleek and mouse-coloured -- what there was of it . Mary Isabel 's face was flushed and her wood-brown eyes looked grieved and pleading . Mary Isabel was still pretty , and vanity is the last thing to desert a properly constructed woman . `` I ca n't wear a bonnet yet , Louisa , '' she protested . `` Bonnets have gone out for everybody except really old ladies . I want a hat : one of those pretty , floppy ones with pale blue forget-me-nots . '' Then it was that Louisa made the remark quoted above . `` I wore a bonnet before I was forty , '' she went on ruthlessly , `` and so should every decent woman . It is absurd to be thinking so much of dress at your age , Mary Isabel . I do n't know what sort of a way you 'd bedizen yourself out if I 'd let you , I 'm sure . It 's fortunate you have somebody to keep you from making a fool of yourself . I 'm going to town tomorrow and I 'll pick you out a suitable black bonnet . You 'd look nice starring round in leghorn and forget-me-nots , now , would n't you ? '' Mary Isabel privately thought she would , but she gave in , of course , although she did hate bitterly that unbought , unescapable bonnet . `` Well , do as you think best , Louisa , '' she said with a sigh . `` I suppose it does n't matter much . Nobody cares how I look anyhow . But ca n't I go to town with you ? I want to pick out my new silk . ''
`` I 'm as good a judge of black silk as you , '' said XXXXX shortly .
Bonnets Isabel Louisa day forget-me-nots ladies leghorn minutes sigh way