of unsound mind.  Pa will give us our testimony to learn by heart!  Pa is a real enterprising man!  Some people say he is a regular schemer, but Aunt Patsey says that he is a brilliant financier!  He has made and lost two or three big fortunes!  He lost one not long ago, and it is so hard just now to make both ends meet.  But Aunt Patsey pays a little board; that helps along, at least with the table!

Pa gives me a small allowance—­when he has the money; then not one cent more!  I believe every body in town knows just how much he allows me!  Pa says I told it, myself.  Perhaps I did; one can’t remember every thing one chances to say.  Although my amount is small, yet I have quite a little way of fixing myself, and always looking real nice.  Aunt Patsey says I do pretty well, until I open my big mouth and begin to rattle, rattle, rattle!  She says I talk more and say less than any body she has ever known, except that down-East girl, Polly Blanton, who always told—­when in want of any other topic—­the family secrets.  Aunt Patsey is forever-and-a-day preaching to me about good form; what I ought, and what I ought not to do; sometimes repeats long passages from the prayer-book—­nearly all the morning service—­then says, “It’s no use, no use; just like pouring water on a duck’s back!” But she must love to do useless things, for she just keeps right on.  She says that I ought to be able to keep silent once in a while, anyhow; but I don’t know how to keep silent.

Some body had to come and tell her—­Aunt Patsey—­that I talked a great deal, and very loud, at the theater, between acts.  Now the idea of finding fault with girls, or any body, who talk between acts! Why it’s just perfectly delightful!  I begin the moment the curtain drops; I don’t even wait for the music to begin—­it is such a waste of time!  I know that I do talk a little too loud; but just lots of real nice persons talk real loud at the theater—­it comes natural.  When people turn around and look at me as if I was really doing something dreadful, then I talk ever and ever so much more!  People can’t frown me down—­no indeed, double deed, not if Alice Wing knows any thing about herself!  People who know me never try; except my family, headed by Aunt Patsey, who always says, “We are prompted by a deep sense of duty, my dear, duty!”

I am almost engaged!  Even Aunt Patsey likes the man, and O, so do I!  He is nice and quiet, and just loves to hear me talk—­never interrupts me, but lets me go on, and looks at me so admiring-like all the time!  Ma says I am sure to spoil every thing by too much talking!  He is so timid!  I encourage him, though, all I can; he seems to like encouragement so much!  He understands and appreciates me, too, and that is a great deal; for most of the other men act so funny when they are left alone with me!  They nearly always have a solemn, almost scared look—­but I really don’t know why!  I must confess