THE GREEN SATIN GOWN
BY LAURA E. RICHARDS
Author of
"Captain January," "Melody," "Three Margarets,"
"Peggy," "Queen Hildegarde," etc., etc.
Illustrated by Etheldred B. Barry
1903
TO
THE GIRLS OF
The Friday Club of Gardiner, Maine
THIS VOLUME
IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED
CONTENTS
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
"THE FIRST TITTER PUT A FIRE IN MY VEINS THAT KEPT ME WARM ALL THE EVENING"
"GREGORY POLISHED IT ON HIS SLEEVE, AND HELD IT UP AGAIN"
"'A LONG BASKET WITH SOMETHING WHITE INSIDE; AND—IT'S CRYING!'"
"'FATHER SAYS THE LORD SENT YOU. DID HE?'"
"MAINE HAILED HIM FROM THE TOP OF A GREAT DRIFT"
THE GREEN SATIN GOWN
Who ever wore such a queer-looking thing? I wore it myself, dear,once upon a time; yes, I did! Perhaps you would like to hear about it,while you mend that tear in your muslin. Sit down, then, and let usbe cosy.
I was making a visit in Hillton once, when I was seventeen years old,just your age; staying with dear old Miss Persis Elderby, who is nowdead. I have told you about her, and it is strange that I have nevertold you the story of the green satin gown; but, indeed, it is yearssince I looked at it. We were great friends, Miss Persis and I; andwe never thought much about the difference in our ages, for she wasyoung for her years, and I was old for mine. In our daily walkthrough the pretty, sleepy Hillton street—we always went for themail, together, for though Miss Persis seldom received letters, shealways liked to see mine, and it was quite the event of the day—mygood friend seldom failed to point out to me a stately mansion thatstood by itself on a little height, and to say in a tone of pride,"The Le Baron place, my dear; the finest place in the county. MadamLe Baron, who lives there alone now, is as great a lady as any inEurope, though she wears no coronet to her name."
I never knew exactly what Miss Persis meant by this last remark, butit sounded magnificent, and I always gazed respectfully at the graystone house which sheltered so grand a personage. Madam Le Baron, itappeared, never left the house in winter, and this was January. Herfriends called on her at stated intervals, and, to judge fromMiss Persis, never failed to come away in a state of reverentialenthusiasm. I could not help picturing to myself the great lady asabout six feet tall, clad in purple velvet, and waving a