CHAPTER IX
關燈
小
中
大
scelebratedeverything.Itwasalong-establishedcustom.EvenMrs.FrederickgaveadinnerpartyonherweddinganniversaryandCousinStickleshadfriendsintosupperonherbirthday.Valancyhatedtheseentertainmentsbecausetheyhadtopinchandsaveandcontriveforweeksafterwardstopayforthem.Butshewantedtogotothesilverwedding.ItwouldhurtUncleHerbert’sfeelingsifshestayedaway,andsheratherlikedUncleHerbert.Besides,shewantedtolookoverallherrelativesfromhernewangle.Itwouldbeanexcellentplacetomakepublicherdeclarationofindependenceifoccasionoffered.
“Putonyourbrownsilkdress,”saidMrs.Stirling.
Asiftherewereanythingelsetoputon!Valancyhadonlytheonefestivedress—thatsnuffy-brownsilkAuntIsabelhadgivenher.AuntIsabelhaddecreedthatValancyshouldneverwearcolours.Theydidnotbecomeher.Whenshewasyoungtheyallowedhertowearwhite,butthathadbeentacitlydroppedforsomeyears.Valancyputonthebrownsilk.Ithadahighcollarandlongsleeves.Shehadneverhadadresswithlowneckandelbowsleeves,althoughtheyhadbeenworn,eveninDeerwood,foroverayear.Butshedidnotdoherhairpompadour.Sheknotteditonherneckandpulleditoutoverherears.Shethoughtitbecameher—onlythelittleknotwassoabsurdlysmall.Mrs.Frederickresentedthehairbutdecideditwaswisesttosaynothingontheeveoftheparty.ItwassoimportantthatValancyshouldbekeptingoodhumour,ifpossible,untilitwasover.Mrs.Frederickdidnotreflectthatthiswasthefirsttimeinherlifetha
