"I think I'll have to do up my hair when I wear this grand costume; It doesn't seem just right to have it tied up with a little girl hair-ribbon." "Patty, my child, I do believe you're growing up!" said her father.
"I do believe I am, papa; I'm almost seventeen, and I'm taller than Aunt Alice now, and a lot taller than Marian." "It isn't only your height, child, you always were a big girl.

But you seem to be growing up in other ways, and I don't believe I like it I was glad when you were no longer a child, but I like to have you a little girl, and I don't believe I'll care for you a bit when you're a young woman." "Now, isn't that too bad!" said Patty, pinching her father's cheek.

"I suppose I'll have to suit myself with another father--I'm sure I couldn't live with anybody who didn't like me a bit.

Well, perhaps Uncle Charley will adopt me; he seems to like me at any age." "Oh, I'll try and put up with you," said her father, kissing her.

"And meantime, what's this talk about piling up your hair on top of your head.
Is it really absolutely necessary to do so, if you wear this frippery confection of dry-goods ?" "Oh, not necessary, perhaps, but I think it would look better.