Pat came over , but his most seductive purrs won no notice from his mistress , who refused herself the pleasure of even patting him . Aunt Janet could not go down the hill in the afternoon to find out how Sara was because company came to tea -- the Millwards from Markdale . Mr. Millward was a doctor , and Mrs. Millward was a B.A. Aunt Janet was very desirous that everything should be as nice as possible , and we were all sent to our rooms before tea to wash and dress up . The Story Girl slipped over home , and when she came back we gasped . She had combed her hair out straight , and braided it in a tight , kinky , pudgy braid ; and she wore an old dress of faded print , with holes in the elbows and ragged flounces , which was much too short for her . `` Sara Stanley , have you taken leave of your senses ? '' demanded Aunt Janet . `` What do you mean by putting on such a rig ! Do n't you know I have company to tea ? '' `` Yes , and that is just why I put it on , Aunt Janet . I want to mortify the flesh -- '' `` I 'll ` mortify ' you , if I catch you showing yourself to the Millwards like that , my girl ! Go right home and dress yourself decently -- or eat your supper in the kitchen . '' The Story Girl chose the latter alternative . She was highly indignant . I verily believe that to sit at the dining-room table , in that shabby , outgrown dress , conscious of looking her ugliest , and eating only bread and water before the critical Millwards would have been positive bliss to her . When we went to the missionary meeting that evening , the Story Girl wore her school dress and hat , while Felicity and Cecily were in their pretty muslins . And she had tied her hair with a snuff-brown ribbon which was very unbecoming to her . The first person we saw in the church porch was Mrs. Ray . She told us that Sara had nothing worse than a feverish cold . The missionary had at least seven happy listeners that night .
We were all glad XXXXX Sara did not have measles , and the Story Girl was radiant .
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