THE CINDERELLA FROCK. 73

their voices ; how gay they were! making
game of her, no doubt! well! Poor Rovina
dropped her head and felt more desolate than
ever she had felt before.

O, if she could have known what they
really were saying ! Apparently Alice had
been impressing upon them the necessity of
forbearance and kindliness, and unfolding some
little plan, something that required a general
contribution, for now there was a great hum,
many voices speaking at once, and Lizzie
Hale’s louder than the rest, sharp and de-
cided—

‘¢T won’t.”’

Alice. Why, Lizzie, my father says—

Lizzie. Who cares for your father? J
don’t.

Julia. For shame on you, Lizzie, to be so
cross to-day! To Alice Lisle, too. For
my part, J’// pay.