She, however, attributed
it to an increase of appetite and a system of deep
breathing which she had herself taken up and en-
joined Amelia to follow. Amelia was following Lily
Jennings instead, but that her mother did not know.
Still, she was gratified to see Amelia's little sallow
cheeks taking on pretty curves and a soft bloom,
and she was more inclined to listen when Grand-
mother Wheeler ventured to approach the subject
of Amelia's attire.
"Amelia would not be so bad-looking if she were
better dressed, Diantha," said she.
Diantha lifted her chin, but she paid heed. "Why,
does not Amelia dress perfectly well, mother?" she
inquired.
"She dresses well enough, but she needs more
ribbons and ruffles."
"I do not approve of so many ribbons and ruffles,"
said Mrs. Diantha. "Amelia has perfectly neat,
fresh black or brown ribbons for her hair, and ruffles
are not sanitary."
"Ruffles are pretty," said Grandmother Wheeler,
"and blue and pink are pretty colors. Now, that
Jennings girl looks like a little picture."
But that last speech of Grandmother Wheeler's
undid all the previous good. Mrs. Diantha had an
unacknowledged -- even to herself -- disapproval of
Mrs. Jennings which dated far back in the past, for
a reason which was quite unworthy of her and of her
strong mind.
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