Free The Flower Brides by Grace Livingston Hill

go to the library and finish there as soon as you can, and then go to Grayson’s and get yourself a new pair of shoes and some pretty slippers. Yes! Don’t look that way. If you don’t get them for yourself I’ll go and get them for you. And mind you get good ones. It doesn’t pay to buy cheap ones that aren’t right. If you don’t get good ones, I’ll make you take them back and exchange them, you know.” She laughed and twinkled at her mother, being almost merry in spite of the hurt look deep in her eyes.
    “But, my dear, I cannot let things go so easily. I must understand why you are doing this. If it is for me, I must positively refuse to accept so great a sacrifice.”
    “But, Mother, I thought that was what you wanted, wasn’t it? You didn’t think I belonged there, and perhaps you’re right.”
    “Yes, I thought it must be something I had said—”
    “Now look here, little Mother; why can’t you let well enough alone? Perhaps my conscience or something has got working. Anyway, I’ve fully made up my mind.”
    “I’m afraid it is because I didn’t quite like the white dress and you feel unhappy about the green one.”
    “No, it’s not that. I love the green one, and I guess it is the most sensible thing. But perhaps the dress, or the lack of it, did help me to come to my senses and see that you were right. Anyway, something did, and we haven’t time to argue about it. The question is, can you meet me at François’s this afternoon at half past three and try on a darling little gray wool that I know you would look perfectly spiffy in?”
    “Indeed, no!” said the mother firmly. “And I’m only going to keep one of those dresses you brought up earlier. I can afford to pay for that myself. I’m not going to have you spending Aunt Carolyn’s money on me. She gave that to you to spend for something you wanted most and—”
    “Look here, Mother,” interrupted Marigold eagerly, “that’s exactly it. She said I was to spend it on what I
wanted most
, and this is it. I want most in life to have you dressed right. It was a revelation to me when I saw you in those dresses yesterday, and I don’t know why I haven’t seen it before. My lovely mother wearing old made-overs! I’m not going to stand it any longer. I have a good-looking mother, and I intend to keep her so. It’s time you had a few stylish things instead of putting them all on your renegade daughter’s back. No, there’s no use in the world in your talking any more about it. I’m determined. See my lips! Aren’t they nice and firm? If you think you can get out of having pretty clothes by refusing to try them on, you’re mistaken. I’ll buy them without trying on and let them hang in the closet and go to waste if they don’t fit well enough for you to wear! There! What do you think of having a bad, wild daughter like that! I’ll turn modern, so I will, and boss you around a lot!” And she caught her mother in her young arms, whirled her around, and then kissed her soundly on each cheek.
    The mother laughed and brushed a quick tear away.
    “Dear child!” she said. “It’s lovely of you to want to fix me up.”
    “Why?” demanded Marigold. “Haven’t you done the same for me all my life? I think it’s my turn now.”
    “But, darling, I’m afraid you’ll regret this—”
    “Well, I like that!” laughed the daughter. “The first unselfish impulse I ever had in my life you think I’ll regret.”
    “Oh, my dear! I didn’t mean that! You’ve always been unselfish. But I meant you’ll regret giving up your party!”
    Marigold grew sober at once.
    “I wonder, will I?” she said thoughtfully. “Perhaps I’ll be glad someday, who knows? But anyway, I’ve given it up!”
    Her mother looked at her anxiously.
    “Has Laurie done something?” she asked.
    “Oh no. I think perhaps it’s what he has not done.”
    Her mother was still a minute. “Perhaps he’s been very busy helping his mother. You know there