You will be as comfortable here as your flowers in this sunny window , '' he said , carelessly pinching geranium leaves , and ruffling the roses till the pink petals of the largest fluttered to the floor . As if she instinctively felt and resented something in the man which his act symbolized , the girl answered quietly , as she went on with her work , `` Yes , if the frost does not touch me , or careless people spoil me too soon . '' Before Randal could reply Aunt Plumy approached like a maternal hen who sees her chicken in danger . `` Saul is goin ' to haul wood after he 's done his chores , mebbe you 'd like to go along ? The view is good , the roads well broke , and the day uncommon fine . '' `` Thanks ; it will be delightful , I dare say , '' politely responded the lion , with a secret shudder at the idea of a rural promenade at 8 A.M. in the winter . `` Come on , then ; we 'll feed the stock , and then I 'll show you how to yoke oxen , '' said Saul , with a twinkle in his eye as he led the way , when his new aide had muffled himself up as if for a polar voyage . `` Now , that 's too bad of Saul ! He did it on purpose , just to please you , Sophie , '' cried Ruth presently , and the girls ran to the window to behold Randal bravely following his host with a pail of pigs ' food in each hand , and an expression of resigned disgust upon his aristocratic face . `` To what base uses may we come , '' quoted Emily , as they all nodded and smiled upon the victim as he looked back from the barn-yard , where he was clamorously welcomed by his new charges . `` It is rather a shock at first , but it will do him good , and Saul wo n't be too hard upon him , I 'm sure , '' said Sophie , going back to her work , while Ruth turned her best buds to the sun that they might be ready for a peace-offering to-morrow . There was a merry clatter in the big kitchen for an hour ; then Aunt Plumy and her daughter shut themselves up in the pantry to perform some culinary rites , and the young ladies went to inspect certain antique costumes laid forth in Sophie 's room . `` You see , Em , I thought it would be appropriate to the house and season to have an old-fashioned dance . Aunt has quantities of ancient finery stowed away , for great-grandfather Basset was a fine old gentleman and his family lived in state . Take your choice of the crimson , blue or silver-gray damask . Ruth is to wear the worked muslin and quilted white satin skirt , with that coquettish hat . '' `` Being dark , I 'll take the red and trim it up with this fine lace . You must wear the blue and primrose , with the distracting high-heeled shoes . Have you any suits for the men ? '' asked Emily , throwing herself at once into the all-absorbing matter of costume .
`` A claret velvet coat and vest , silk stockings , cocked hat and snuff-box for XXXXX .
Basset Plumy Randal Saul Sophie damask finery geranium hour muslin