Great was the anxiety of the ladies about their first ball , because if every thing went well they intended to give a dinner-party to the chosen few . `` Aunt Jo likes to have the boys play with us , if they are not rough ; so we must make them like our balls , then they will do them good , '' said Daisy , with her maternal air , as she set the table and surveyed the store of refreshments with an anxious eye . `` Demi and Nat will be good , but Tommy will do something bad , I know he will , '' replied Nan , shaking her head over the little cake-basket which she was arranging . `` Then I shall send him right home , '' said Daisy , with decision . `` People do n't do so at parties , it is n't proper . '' `` I shall never ask him any more . '' `` That would do . He 'd be sorry not to come to the dinner-ball , would n't he ? '' `` I guess he would ! we 'll have the splendidest things ever seen , wo n't we ? Real soup with a ladle and a tureem -LSB- she meant tureen -RSB- and a little bird for turkey , and gravy , and all kinds of nice vegytubbles . '' Daisy never could say vegetables properly , and had given up trying . `` It is ` most three , and we ought to dress , '' said Nan , who had arranged a fine costume for the occasion , and was anxious to wear it . `` I am the mother , so I sha n't dress up much , '' said Daisy , putting on a night-cap ornamented with a red bow , one of her aunt 's long skirts , and a shawl ; a pair of spectacles and large pocket handkerchief completed her toilette , making a plump , rosy little matron of her . Nan had a wreath of artificial flowers , a pair of old pink slippers , a yellow scarf , a green muslin skirt , and a fan made of feathers from the duster ; also , as a last touch of elegance , a smelling-bottle without any smell in it . `` I am the daughter , so I rig up a good deal , and I must sing and dance , and talk more than you do . The mothers only get the tea and be proper , you know . '' A sudden very loud knock caused Miss Smith to fly into a chair , and fan herself violently , while her mamma sat bolt upright on the sofa , and tried to look quite calm and `` proper . '' Little Bess , who was on a visit , acted the part of maid , and opened the door , saying with a smile , `` Wart in , gemplemun ; it 's all weady . '' In honor of the occasion , the boys wore high paper collars , tall black hats , and gloves of every color and material , for they were an afterthought , and not a boy among them had a perfect pair .
`` Good day , mum , '' said XXXXX , in a deep voice , which was so hard to keep up that his remarks had to be extremely brief .
Bess Demi Jo Nan Smith muslin splendidest toilette tureen vegytubbles