And Natty 's cup of happiness was full . Penelope 's Party Waist `` It 's perfectly horrid to be so poor , '' grumbled Penelope . Penelope did not often grumble , but just now , as she sat tapping with one pink-tipped finger her invitation to Blanche Anderson 's party , she felt that grumbling was the only relief she had . Penelope was seventeen , and when one is seventeen and can not go to a party because one has n't a suitable dress to wear , the world is very apt to seem a howling wilderness . `` I wish I could think of some way to get you a new waist , '' said Doris , with what these sisters called `` the poverty pucker '' coming in the centre of her pretty forehead . `` If your black skirt were sponged and pressed and re-hung , it would do very well . '' Penelope saw the poverty pucker and immediately repented with all her impetuous heart having grumbled . That pucker came often enough without being brought there by extra worries . `` Well , there is no use sitting here sighing for the unattainable , '' she said , jumping up briskly . `` I 'd better be putting my grey matter into that algebra instead of wasting it plotting for a party dress that I certainly ca n't get . It 's a sad thing for a body to lack brains when she wants to be a teacher , is n't it ? If I could only absorb algebra and history as I can music , what a blessing it would be ! Come now , Dorrie dear , smooth that pucker out . Next year I shall be earning a princely salary , which we can squander on party gowns at will -- if people have n't given up inviting us by that time , in sheer despair of ever being able to conquer our exclusiveness . '' Penelope went off to her detested algebra with a laugh , but the pucker did not go out of Doris ' forehead . She wanted Penelope to go to that party . Penelope has studied so hard all winter and she has n't gone anywhere , thought the older sister wistfully . She is getting discouraged over those examinations and she needs just a good , jolly time to hearten her up . If it could only be managed ! But Doris did not see how it could .
It took every cent XXXXX her small salary as typewriter in an uptown office to run their tiny establishment and keep Penelope in school dresses and books .
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