And I wouldn't have told her of it for the world.

So I tried just as hard as I could to forget him--on account of Mother, so as to be loyal to her.
And I did 'most forget him by the time I'd got home.

But it all came back again a little later when we were unpacking my trunk.
You see, Mother found the two new white dresses, and the dear little shoes.

I knew then, of course, that she'd have to know all--I mean, how she hadn't pleased Father, even after all her pains trying to have me go as Mary.
"Why, Marie, what in the world is this ?" she demanded, holding up one of the new dresses.
I could have cried.
I suppose she saw by my face how awfully I felt 'cause she'd found it.
And, of course, she saw something was the matter; and she thought it was-- Well, the first thing _I_ knew she was looking at me in her very sternest, sorriest way, and saying: "Oh, Marie, how could you?
I'm ashamed of you! Couldn't you wear the Mary dresses one little three months to please your father ?" I did cry, then.

After all I'd been through, to have her accuse _me_ of getting those dresses! Well, I just couldn't stand it.