Flora liked to hear the fashionable gossip about clothes and people and art and theatres , but Dora preferred the learned conversation of the young Boston ladies , who seemed to know a little of everything , or think they did . `` I hope Mamma will give me an entirely new wardrobe when I get home ; and we will have dolls ' weddings and balls , and a play , and be as fine and fashionable as those ladies down there , '' said Flora , after listening a while . `` You have got your head full of dressy ideas and high life , sister . I do n't care for such things , but mean to cultivate my mind as fast as I can . That girl says she is in college , and named over more studies than I can count . I do wish we were to stop and see a little of the refined society of Boston , '' answered Dora , primly . `` Pooh ! '' said Flo , `` do n't you try to be intellectual , for you are only a wooden-headed doll . I mean to be a real Westerner , and just enjoy myself as I please , without caring what other folks do or think . Boston is no better than the rest of the world , I guess . '' Groans from every article in the bag greeted this disrespectful speech , and an avalanche of Boston papers fell upon the audacious doll . But Flo was undaunted , and shouted from underneath the pile : `` I do n't care ! Minnesota forever ! '' till her breath gave out . Dora was so mortified that she never said a word till they were let out in a room at the Parker House . Here she admired everything , and read all the evening in a volume of Emerson 's Poems from the bag , for Mr. Mt. Vernon Beacon was a Boston man , and never went anywhere without a wise book or two in his pocket . Flo turned up her nose at all she saw , and devoted herself to a long chat with the smart bag which came from New York and was full of gossip . The next afternoon they really got to Portland , and as soon as Mr. Beacon had made his toilet he set out to find little Miss Plum . When the parlor door opened to admit her he was much embarrassed , for , advancing with a paternal smile and the dolls extended to the expected child , he found himself face to face with a pretty young lady , who looked as if she thought him a little mad . A few words explained the errand , however , and when she read the note Aunt Maria 's bright eyes were full of tears as she said , hugging the dilapidated dolls : `` I 'll write the story of their travels , and send the dear old things back to the children as soon as possible . ''
And so she did with Mr. XXXXX 's help , for he decided to try the air of Portland , and spent his vacation there .
Beacon Boston Emerson Flo Flora House Pooh Portland York evening