“I don’t know,” replied Katy, in a doubtful tone.  “Perhaps we had better change our gowns.  Cousin Olivia always dresses so much!  Here’s your blue muslin right on top of the trunk.  You might put on that, and I’ll wear my purple.”

The girls were glad that they had done this, for it was evidently expected, and Lilly had dressed her hair and donned a fresh white pique.  Mrs. Page examined their dresses, and said that Clover’s was a lovely blue, but that ruffles were quite gone out, and every thing must be made with basques.  She supposed they needed quantities of things, and she had already engaged a dressmaker to work for them.

“Thank you,” said Katy, “but I don’t think we need any thing.  We had our winter dresses made before we left home.”

“Winter dresses! last spring!  My dear, what were you thinking of?  They must be completely out of fashion.”

“You can’t think how little Hillsover people know about fashions,” replied Katy, laughing.

“But, my dear, for your own sake!” exclaimed Mrs. Page, distressed by these lax remarks.  “I’ll look over your things to-morrow and see what you need.”

Katy did not dare to say “No,” but she felt rebellious.  When they were half through tea, the door opened, and a boy came in.

“You are late, Clarence,” said Mr. Page, while Mrs. Page groaned and observed, “Clarence makes a point of being late.  He really deserves to be made to go without his supper.  Shut the door, Clarence.  O mercy! don’t bang it in that way.  I wish you would learn to shut a door properly.  Here are your cousins, Katy and Clover Carr.  Now let me see if you can shake hands with them like a gentleman, and not like a ploughboy.”

Clarence, a square, freckled boy of thirteen, with reddish hair, and a sort of red sparkle in his eyes, looked very angry at this address.  He did not offer to shake hands at all, but elevating his shoulders said, “How d’you do?” in a sulky voice, and sitting down at the table buried his nose without delay in a glass of milk.  His mother gave a disgusted sigh.

“What a boy you are!” she said.  “Your cousins will think that you have never been taught any thing, which is not the case; for I’m sure I’ve taken twice the pains with you that I have with Lilly.  Pray excuse him, Katy.  It’s no use trying to make boys polite!”

“Isn’t it?” said Katy, thinking of Phil and Dorry, and wondering what Mrs. Page could mean.

“Hullo, Lilly!” broke in Clarence, spying his sister as it seemed for the first time.

“How d’you do?” said Lilly, carelessly.  “I was wondering how long it would be before you would condescend to notice my existence.”

“I didn’t see you.”

“I know you didn’t.  I never knew such a boy!  You might as well have no eyes at all.”