I just wanted to be Esther! It's mean." "Why you've been plenty of things I think," said Jane Linwood, coming near this corner of gloom.
"I haven't! I have been that hateful prince in the tower and Cinderella's ugly sister--only hateful things." "But you were Little Red Riding-Hood." "Red Riding-Hood!" exclaimed Nora in unspeakable disdain.

"Red Riding-Hood was nothing at all but a red cloak! and Daisy wore feathers, and had the dog--" And the vision of Queen Esther's jewels and satin gown and mantle here overcame Nora's dignity if not her wrath: she began to cry.
"But won't you come and be one of the queen's maids?
_they_ will be very nicely dressed too," Daisy ventured gently.
"No!--I won't be anybody's maid, I tell you," sobbed the disconsolate child.
"Bring her along, Daisy," Mrs.Sandford called from the other side of the room.--"I am almost ready for her." Daisy made another vain effort to bring Nora to reason, and then went sorrowfully to Mrs.Sandford.She thought tableaux were on the whole a somewhat troublesome amusement.
"Will I do, Mrs.Sandford ?" she said.

"Nora does not want to play." "In dudgeon, hey ?" said the lady.

"I expected as much.

Well Daisy--I will take you.