"I imagine you were a cunning little girl." Arline flushed at the implied compliment.

"Father used to call me 'Daffydowndilly,'" she began.

"My hair was much lighter than it is now, but it has always been curly.

I am afraid I used to be very vain, for I loved to stand and smile at myself in the mirror simply because I liked my yellow curls and was fascinated with my own smile.

No one told me I was vain, for Mother died when I was a baby, and even my governess laughed to see me worship my own reflection.