I ought to explain about this frock. One of her aunties sent it to her
on her last birthday. It was quite the most beautiful little dress you
ever saw--thick white silk embroidered with daisies. Isabel loved it
dearly, but was only allowed to wear it on very great occasions.
Well, when she asked if she might put it on, nurse said she thought it
would be wiser not to. "You won't be able to run about and climb trees
at your grandpapa's if you do, Miss Isabel."
"But I shan't want to," replied Isabel, "for it is a grown-up party, and
we shall only sit and talk."
So after all she was allowed to wear it, and with that on and a
beautiful new sash her Uncle Dick had just sent her from India, she felt
a very smart little girl indeed.
The shaving tidy she had done up in a parcel, and Peter had the knife in
his pocket, so they were quite ready, and as they went down to the hall
the clock struck three.
Alas! there was no motor waiting; instead there was mother with a
telegram in her hand saying that Auntie May couldn't come for them till
four o'clock.
What a disappointment! A whole hour longer to wait! What were they to do
with themselves?
Mother suggested that they should sit down quietly and read, but who can
possibly sit and read when a big motor is coming soon to fetch them?
So mother very kindly said they might go out in the garden.
"Only remember," she said, "you are not to run about and get hot and
untidy; and keep on the paths, don't go on the grass.
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