ouldn't wear mittens this winter; they're simply too countrified. It's
your first year here, and you're younger than I am, so I s'pose you
don't mind, but I simply suffer if I don't keep up some kind of style.
Say, your room is simply too cute for words! I don't believe any of the
others can begin to compare with it! I don't know what gives it that
simply gorgeous look, whether it's the full curtains, or that elegant
screen, or Rebecca's lamp; but you certainly do have a faculty for
fixing up. I like a pretty room too, but I never have a minute to
attend to mine; I'm always so busy on my clothes that half the time I
don't get my bed made up till noon; and after all, having no callers
but the girls, it don't make much difference. When I graduate, I'm
going to fix up our parlor at home so it'll be simply regal. I've
learned decalcomania, and after I take up lustre painting I shall have
it simply stiff with drapes and tidies and placques and sofa pillows,
and make mother let me have a fire, and receive my friends there
evenings. May I dry my feet at your register? I can't bear to wear
rubbers unless the mud or the slush is simply knee-deep, they make your
feet look so awfully big. I had such a fuss getting this pair of
French-heeled boots that I don't intend to spoil the looks of them with
rubbers any oftener than I can help. I believe boys notice feet quicker
than anything. Elmer Webster stepped on one of mine yesterday when I
accidentally had it out in the aisle, and when he apologized after
class, he said he wasn't so much to blame, for the foot was so little
he really couldn't see it! Isn't he perfectly great? Of course that's
only his way of talking, for after all I only wear a number two, but
these French heels and pointed toes do certainly make your foot look
smaller, and it's always said a high instep helps, too. I used to think
mine was almost a deformity, but they say it's a great beauty. Just put
your feet beside mine, girls, and look at the difference; not that I
care much, but just for fun."

"My feet are very comfortable where they are," responded Rebecca dryly.
"I can't stop to measure insteps on algebra days; I've noticed your
habit of keeping a foot in the aisle ever since you had those new
shoes, so I don't wonder it was stepped on."

"Perhaps I am a little mite conscious of them, because they're not so
very comfortable at first, till you get them broken in. Say, haven't
you got a lot of new things?"