Good-by . Bring home our hats every time and tell me how you get on . '' With kind words like these , Belle dismissed Lizzie , who ran downstairs , feeling as rich as if she had found a fortune . Away to the next place she hurried , anxious to get her errands done and the precious posy safely into fresh water . But Mrs. Turretviile was not at home , and the bonnet could not be left till paid for . So Lizzie turned to go down the high steps , glad that she need not wait . She stopped one instant to take a delicious sniff at her flowers , and that was the last happy moment that poor Lizzie knew for many weary months . The new boots were large for her , the steps slippery with sleet , and down went the little errand girl , from top to bottom , till she landed in the gutter directly upon Mrs. Turretville 's costly bonnet . `` I 've saved my posies , anyway , '' sighed Lizzie , as she picked herself up , bruised , wet , and faint with pain ; `` but , oh , my heart ! wo n't Madame scold when she sees that band-box smashed flat , '' groaned the poor child , sitting on the curbstone to get her breath and view the disaster . The rain poured , the wind blew , the sparrows on the park railing chirped derisively , and no one came along to help Lizzie out of her troubles . Slowly she gathered up her burdens ; painfully she limped away in the big boots ; and the last the naughty sparrows saw of her was a shabby little figure going round the corner , with a pale , tearful face held lovingly over the bright bouquet that was her one treasure and her only comfort in the moment which brought to her the great misfortune of her life . II . FORGET-ME-NOTS `` Oh , mamma , I am so relieved that the box has come at last ! If it had not , I do believe I should have died of disappointment , '' cried pretty Belle , five years later , on the morning before her eighteenth birthday . `` It would have been a serious disappointment , darling ; for I had sot my heart on your wearing my gift to-morrow night , and when the steamers kept coming in without my trunk from Paris , I was very anxious . I hope you will like it . '' `` Dear mamma , I know I shall like it ; your taste is so good and you know what suits me so well . Make haste , Marie ; I 'm dying to see it , '' said Belle , dancing about the great trunk , as the maid carefully unfolded tissue papers and muslin wrappers . A young girl 's first ball-dress is a grand affair , -- in her eyes , at least ; and Belle soon stopped dancing , to stand with clasped hands , eager eyes and parted lips before the snowy pile of illusion that was at last daintily lifted out upon the bed .
Then , as XXXXX displayed its loveliness , little cries of delight were heard , and when the whole delicate dress was arranged to the best effect she threw herself upon her mother 's neck and actually cried with pleasure .
II Marie Paris band-box curbstone disaster night sot sparrows steamers