You must have been a cat in some former state , you are so troubled about dirt ; or a tailor , and lived for clothes . ' ` Come now , do n't hit a fellow when he is down , ' responded Dolly from the grass where he and Stuffy now lay to make room for both girls on the seat . One handkerchief was spread under him , and his elbow leaned upon another , while his eyes were sadly fixed upon the green and brown spot which afflicted him . ' I like to be neat ; do n't think it civil to cut about in old shoes and grey flannel shirts before ladies . Our fellows are gentlemen , and dress as such , ' he added , rather nettled at the word ` tailor ' ; for he owed one of those too attractive persons an uncomfortably big bill . ` So are ours ; but good clothes alone do n't make a gentleman here . We require a good deal more , ' flashed Josie , in arms at once to defend her college . ` You will hear of some of the men in `` old boots and grey flannel '' when you and your fine gentlemen are twiddling your ties and scenting your hair in obscurity . I like old boots and wear them , and I hate dandies ; do n't you , Bess ? ' ` Not when they are kind to me , and belong to our old set , ' answered Bess , with a nod of thanks to Dolly , who was carefully removing an inquisitive caterpillar from one of her little russet shoes . ' I like a lady who is always polite , and does n't snap a man 's head off if he has a mind of his own ; do n't you , George ? ' asked Dolly , with his best smile for Bess and a Harvard stare of disapprobation for Josie . A tranquil snore was Stuffy 's sole reply , and a general laugh restored peace for the moment . But Josie loved to harass the lords of creation who asserted themselves too much , and bided her time for another attack till she had secured more tennis . She got another game ; for Dolly was a sworn knight of dames , so he obeyed her call , leaving Bess to sketch George as he lay upon his back , his stout legs crossed , and his round red face partially eclipsed by his hat . Josie got beaten this time and came back rather cross , so she woke the peaceful sleeper by tickling his nose with a straw till he sneezed himself into a sitting posture , and looked wrathfully about for ` that confounded fly ' . ` Come , sit up and let us have a little elegant conversation ; you `` howling swells '' ought to improve our minds and manners , for we are only poor `` country girls in dowdy gowns and hats '' , ' began the gad-fly , opening the battle with a sly quotation from one of Dolly 's unfortunate speeches about certain studious damsels who cared more for books than finery . ' I did n't mean you ! Your gowns are all right , and those hats the latest thing out , ' began poor ` Dolphus , convicting himself by the incautious exclamation . ` Caught you that time ; I thought you fellows were all gentlemen , civil as well as nice .
But you are always sneering at girls who do n't dress well and that is a very unmanly thing to do ; my mother said so ' ; and XXXXX felt that she had dealt a shrewd blow at the elegant youth who bowed at many shrines if they were well-decorated ones .
Bess Dolphus George Josie Stuffy attack dames damsels dandies finery