So altogether she had a very nice time , till she overheard a bit of conversation , which disturbed her extremely . She was sitting just inside the conservatory , waiting for her partner to bring her an ice , when she heard a voice ask on the other side of the flowery wall ... `` How old is he ? '' `` Sixteen or seventeen , I should say , '' replied another voice . `` It would be a grand thing for one of those girls , would n't it ? Sallie says they are very intimate now , and the old man quite dotes on them . '' `` Mrs. M. has made her plans , I dare say , and will play her cards well , early as it is . The girl evidently does n't think of it yet , '' said Mrs. Moffat . `` She told that fib about her momma , as if she did know , and colored up when the flowers came quite prettily . Poor thing ! She 'd be so nice if she was only got up in style . Do you think she 'd be offended if we offered to lend her a dress for Thursday ? '' asked another voice . `` She 's proud , but I do n't believe she 'd mind , for that dowdy tarlaton is all she has got . She may tear it tonight , and that will be a good excuse for offering a decent one . '' Here Meg 's partner appeared , to find her looking much flushed and rather agitated . She was proud , and her pride was useful just then , for it helped her hide her mortification , anger , and disgust at what she had just heard . For , innocent and unsuspicious as she was , she could not help understanding the gossip of her friends . She tried to forget it , but could not , and kept repeating to herself , `` Mrs. M. has made her plans , '' `` that fib about her mamma , '' and `` dowdy tarlaton , '' till she was ready to cry and rush home to tell her troubles and ask for advice . As that was impossible , she did her best to seem gay , and being rather excited , she succeeded so well that no one dreamed what an effort she was making . She was very glad when it was all over and she was quiet in her bed , where she could think and wonder and fume till her head ached and her hot cheeks were cooled by a few natural tears .
Those foolish , yet well meant words , had opened a new world to XXXXX , and much disturbed the peace of the old one in which till now she had lived as happily as a child .
Meg Moffat Sallie fib girl momma one partner style tarlaton