When the clock
struck three they were all clothed, and most of them in their
right minds, ready for those last touches that always take the
most time. Kitty's red hair was curled in thirty-four ringlets,
Sarah Maud's was braided in one pig-tail, and Susan's and Eily's
in two braids apiece, while Peoria's resisted all advances in the
shape of hair oils and stuck out straight on all sides, like that
of the Circassian girl of the circus--so Clem said; and he was
sent into the bed-room for it too, from whence he was dragged out
forgivingly by Peoria herself, five minutes later. Then--exciting
moment--came linen collars for some and neckties and bows for
others, and Eureka! the Ruggleses were dressed, and Solomon in
all his glory was not arrayed like one of these! A row of seats
was formed directly through the middle of the kitchen. There
were not quite chairs enough for ten, since the family had rarely
all wanted to sit down at once, somebody always being out, or in
bed, but the wood box and the coal-hod finished out the line
nicely. The children took their places according to age, Sarah
Maud at the head and Larry on the coal-hod, and Mrs.
Pages:
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54