and Amy rubbed her brilliant cheek , and showed him her white glove with a sober simplicity that made him laugh outright . `` What do you call this stuff ? '' he asked , touching a fold of her dress that had blown over his knee . `` Illusion . '' `` Good name for it . It 's very pretty -- new thing , is n't it ? '' `` It 's as old as the hills . You have seen it on dozens of girls , and you never found out that it was pretty till now -- stupide ! '' `` I never saw it on you before , which accounts for the mistake , you see . '' `` None of that , it is forbidden . I 'd rather take coffee than compliments just now . No , do n't lounge , it makes me nervous . '' Laurie sat bold upright , and meekly took her empty plate feeling an odd sort of pleasure in having ` little Amy ' order him about , for she had lost her shyness now , and felt an irrestible desire to trample on him , as girls have a delightful way of doing when lords of creation show any signs of subjection . `` Where did you learn all this sort of thing ? '' he asked with a quizzical look . `` As ` this sort of thing ' is rather a vague expression , would you kindly explain ? '' returned Amy , knowing perfectly well what he meant , but wickedly leaving him to describe what is indescribable . `` Well -- the general air , the style , the self-possession , the -- the -- illusion -- you know '' , laughed Laurie , breaking down and helping himself out of his quandary with the new word . Amy was gratified , but of course did n't show it , and demurely answered , `` Foreign life polishes one in spite of one 's self . I study as well as play , and as for this '' -- with a little gesture toward her dress -- `` why , tulle is cheap , posies to be had for nothing , and I am used to making the most of my poor little things . ''
Amy rather regretted that last sentence , fearing it was n't in good taste , but XXXXX liked her better for it , and found himself both admiring and respecting the brave patience that made the most of opportunity , and the cheerful spirit that covered poverty with flowers .
Amy Laurie posies quandary self-possession shyness spite stupide style subjection