14/16 It was dreadful to have to wear woollen, high-necked and long-sleeved. It cost her a great effort to cross the room. She felt as awkward as a limping grasshopper in a crowd of butterflies. But reaching her hostess at last, she timidly whispered,-- "My sister _says_ she isn't very well, Mrs.Pragoff, and that's why she stays up stairs. If you please, perhaps she'd better go to bed." Prudy was very much ashamed to say this; but politeness required her to make some excuse for wayward Dotty's behavior. |