ether,
and I am surprised that Will allows it. I wonder if Katy is really happy
with us? She says she is, and is evidently delighted with New York life,
clapping her hands when the invitation to Mrs. Reynolds' party was
received, and running with it to Wilford as soon as he came home. It is
her first big party, she says, she having never attended any except that
little sociable in Boston, and those insipid schoolgirl affairs at the
seminary. I may be conceited--Juno thinks I am--but really and truly,
Bell Cameron's private opinion of herself is that at heart she is better
than the rest of her family, and so I pity this little sister of ours,
while at the same time I am exceedingly anxious to be present whenever
Juno takes her in hand, for I like to see the fun. Were she at all
bookish, I should avow myself her champion, and openly defend her; but
she is not, and so I give her into the hands of the Philistines, hoping
they will at least spare her hair and not worry her life out on that
head. It is very becoming to her, and several young ladies have
whispered their intention of trying its effect upon themselves, so that
Katy may yet be a leader of the fashion.

CHAPTER XV.

TONING DOWN.

_Bell's Diary Continued_.

Such fun as it was to see mother and Juno training Katy, showing her how
to enter the parlor, how to arrange her dress, how to carry her hands
and feet, and how to sit in a chair--Juno going through with the
performance first, and then requesting Katy to imitate her, which I must
say she did to perfection, even excelling her teacher, inasmuch as she
is naturally very easy and graceful. Had I been Katy I should have
rebelled, but she is far too sweet-tempered and anxious to please, while
I half suspect that fear of my lord Wilford had something to do with it,
for when the drill was over, she asked so earnestly if we thought he
would be ashamed of her, and there were tears in her great blue eyes as
she said it. Hang Wilford! Hang the whole of them! I am not sure but I
shall espouse her cause myself, or else tell father, who will do it so
much better.

Dec.--th.--Another drill, with Juno commanding officer, while the
poor little private seemed completely worried out. This time there were
open doors, but so absorbed were mother and Juno as not to hear the
bell, and just as Juno was saying, "Now, imagine me Mrs. General
Reynolds, to whom you are being presented," while Katy was bowing almost
to the flo