Book Two: The Education of a Personage

           ThetimeisFebruary.Theplaceisalarge,daintybedroomintheConnagehouseonSixty-eighthStreet,NewYork.Agirl’sroom:pinkwallsandcurtainsandapinkbedspreadonacream-coloredbed.Pinkandcreamarethemotifsoftheroom,buttheonlyarticleoffurnitureinfullviewisaluxuriousdressing-tablewithaglasstopandathree-sidedmirror.Onthewallsthereisanexpensiveprintof"CherryRipe,"afewpolitedogsbyLandseer,andthe"KingoftheBlackIsles,"byMaxfieldParrish.

           Greatdisorderconsistingofthefollowingitems:(1)sevenoreightemptycardboardboxes,withtissue-papertongueshangingpantingfromtheirmouths;(2)anassortmentofstreetdressesmingledwiththeirsistersoftheevening,alluponthetable,allevidentlynew;(3)arolloftulle,whichhaslostitsdignityandwounditselftortuouslyaroundeverythinginsight,and(4)uponthetwosmallchairs,acollectionoflingeriethatbeggarsdescription.Onewouldenjoyseeingthebillcalledforthbythefinerydisplayedandoneispossessedbyadesiretoseetheprincessforwhosebenefit—Look!There’ssomeone!Disappointment!Thisisonlyamaidhuntingforsomething—sheliftsaheapfromachair—Notthere;anotherheap,thedressing-table,thechiffonierdrawers.Shebringstolightseveralbeautifulchemisesandanamazingpajamabutthisdoesnotsatisfyher—shegoesout.

           Anindistinguishablemumblefromthenextroom.

           Now,wearegettingwarm.ThisisAlec’smother,Mrs.Connage,ample,dignified,rougedtothedowagerpointandquitewornout.