` Run over the beach and get warm . Thank you very much , little mermaid . Tell papa to bring his daughter to see me any time . Good-bye ' ; and with a wave of her hand the tragedy queen dismissed her court , but remained on her weedy throne watching the two lithe figures race over the sand with twinkling feet till they were out of sight . Then , as she calmly bobbed up and down in the water , she said to herself : ` The child has a good stage face , vivid , mobile ; fine eyes , abandon , pluck , will . Perhaps she 'll do . Good stock -- talent in the family . We shall see . ' Of course Josie never slept a wink , and was in a fever of joyful excitement next day . Uncle Laurie enjoyed the episode very much , and Aunt Amy looked out her most becoming white dress for the grand occasion ; Bess lent her most artistic hat , and Josie ranged the wood and marsh for a bouquet of wild roses , sweet white azalea , ferns , and graceful grasses , as the offering of a very grateful heart . At ten she solemnly arrayed herself , and then sat looking at her neat gloves and buckled shoes till it was time to go , growing pale and sober with the thought that her fate was soon to be decided ; for , like all young people she was sure that her whole life could be settled by one human creature , quite forgetting how wonderfully Providence trains us by disappointment , surprises us with unexpected success , and turns our seeming trials into blessings . ' I will go alone : we shall be freer so . Oh , Bess , pray that she may tell me rightly ! So much depends on that ! Do n't laugh , uncle ! It is a very serious moment for me . Miss Cameron knows that , and will tell you so . Kiss me , Aunt Amy , since mamma is n't here . If you say I look nice , I 'm quite satisfied . Good-bye . '
And with a wave of the hand as much like her model 's as she could make it , XXXXX departed , looking very pretty and feeling very tragical .
Amy Bess Cameron Josie Laurie Providence course family ferns people