faint or feverish , delirious or in the dumps ! Saul looks so anxious , and Mrs. Basset hushes us all up so , I came to bed , leaving Randal to entertain Ruth . '' As she spoke Emily saw the papers disappear in a portfolio , and Sophie rose with a yawn . `` I was writing letters , but I 'm sleepy now . Quite over my foolish fright , thank you . Go and get your beauty sleep that you may dazzle the natives to-morrow . '' `` So glad , good night ; '' and Emily went away , saying to herself , `` Something is going on , and I must find out what it is before I leave . Sophie ca n't blind me . '' But Sophie did all the next day , being delightfully gay at the dinner , and devoting herself to the young minister who was invited to meet the distinguished novelist , and evidently being afraid of him , gladly basked in the smiles of his charming neighbor . A dashing sleigh-ride occupied the afternoon , and then great was the fun and excitement over the costumes . Aunt Plumy laughed till the tears rolled down her cheeks as the girls compressed her into the plum-colored gown with its short waist , leg-of-mutton sleeves , and narrow skirt . But a worked scarf hid all deficiencies , and the towering cap struck awe into the soul of the most frivolous observer . `` Keep an eye on me , girls , for I shall certainly split somewheres or lose my head-piece off when I 'm trottin ' round . What would my blessed mother say if she could see me rigged out in her best things ? '' and with a smile and a sigh the old lady departed to look after `` the boys , '' and see that the supper was all right . Three prettier damsels never tripped down the wide staircase than the brilliant brunette in crimson brocade , the pensive blonde in blue , or the rosy little bride in old muslin and white satin . A gallant court gentleman met them in the hall with a superb bow , and escorted them to the parlor , where Grandma Basset 's ghost was discovered dancing with a modern major in full uniform . Mutual admiration and many compliments followed , till other ancient ladies and gentlemen arrived in all manner of queer costumes , and the old house seemed to wake from its humdrum quietude to sudden music and merriment , as if a past generation had returned to keep its Christmas there . The village fiddler soon struck up the good old tunes , and then the strangers saw dancing that filled them with mingled mirth and envy ; it was so droll , yet so hearty . The young men , unusually awkward in their grandfathers ' knee-breeches , flapping vests , and swallow-tail coats , footed it bravely with the buxom girls who were the prettier for their quaintness , and danced with such vigor that their high combs stood awry , their furbelows waved wildly , and their cheeks were as red as their breast-knots , or hose .
It was impossible to stand still , and one after the other the city folk yielded to the spell , Randal leading off with Ruth , XXXXX swept away by Saul , and Emily being taken possession of by a young giant of eighteen , who spun her around with a boyish impetuosity that took her breath away .
Plumy Sophie afternoon damsels head-piece knee-breeches muslin quietude right sleigh-ride