"
"Oh, it's gone!" exclaimed Jane and Ella. The curtain had
fallen. The company clapped their hands and cheered.
"What's that for?" said Nora.
"That means that they like it, I suppose," said Daisy.
"You will have to go now, Nora, I know. Little Red Riding-Hood
comes next. Come — we'll all go."
"Horrid Little Red Riding-Hood!" said Nora. "I hate that
picture!"
"Why do you hate it?"
"Because! — It is nothing but a red hood."
Mrs. Sandford's bell sounded.
"Oh, Daisy!" said Nora, as they went, "won't you get them to
leave Esther to the last? They will do whatever you ask them.
Do!"
"Why, Nora?"
"Oh, because! —"
What Nora's "because" meant, Daisy did not know; that it had
reference to some supposed advantage of place, was pretty
certain. Daisy stood thinking about it while she saw Nora
dressed, and then ran into the drawing-room to take the effect
of the tableau. The curtain was withdrawn; Daisy was
astonished; she had no idea that Nora could be so changed by a
little arrangement of lights and dress. The picture was
exceeding pretty. Nora's black hair and bright cheeks peeped
out from under the shadowing red cardinal, which draped her
arms also — Mrs.
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