But I shall never get well enough acquainted with any of them to find out . Mother says it is high time I gave up my tomboy ways and came `` out '' too , because I am eighteen . I coaxed off this winter . It was n't very hard , because no mother with three older unmarried girls on her hands would be very anxious to bring out a fourth . The girls took my part and advised Mother to let me be a child as long as possible . Mother yielded for this time , but said I must be brought out next winter or people would talk . Oh , I hate the thought of it ! People might talk about my not being brought out , but they will talk far more about the blunders I shall make . The doleful fact is , I 'm too wretchedly shy and awkward to live . It fills my soul with terror to think of donning long dresses and putting my hair up and going into society . I ca n't talk and men frighten me to death . I fall over things as it is , and what will it be with long dresses ? As far back as I can remember it has been my one aim and object in life to escape company . Oh , if only one need never grow up ! If I could only go back four years and stay there ! Mother laments over it muchly . She says she does n't know what she has done to have such a shy , unpresentable daughter . I know . She married Grandmother Marshall 's son , and Grandmother Marshall was as shy as she was economical . Mother triumphed over heredity with Jen and Sue and Alice , but it came off best with me .
The other girls are noted XXXXX their grace and tact .
about as because for if next of on over with