登陆注册
14325600000005

第5章 POLLY ARRIVES (5)

Polly had never been much to the theatre; and the few plays she had seen were the good old fairy tales, dramatized to suit young beholders,­lively, bright, and full of the harmless nonsense which brings the laugh without the blush. That night she saw one of the new spectacles which have lately become the rage, and run for hundreds of nights, dazzling, exciting, and demoralizing the spectator by every allurement French ingenuity can invent, and American prodigality execute. Never mind what its name was, it was very gorgeous, very vulgar, and very fashionable; so, of course, it was much admired, and every one went to see it. At first, Polly thought she had got into fairy-land, and saw only the sparkling creatures who danced and sung in a world of light and beauty; but, presently, she began to listen to the songs and conversation, and then the illusion vanished; for the lovely phantoms sang negro melodies, talked slang, and were a disgrace to the good old-fashioned elves whom she knew and loved so well.

Our little girl was too innocent to understand half the jokes, and often wondered what people were laughing at; but, as the first enchantment subsided, Polly began to feel uncomfortable, to be sure her mother would n't like to have her there, and to wish she had n't come. Somehow, things seemed to get worse and worse, as the play went on; for our small spectator was being rapidly enlightened by the gossip going on all about her, as well as by her own quick eyes and girlish instincts. When four-and-twenty girls, dressed as jockeys, came prancing on to the stage, cracking their whips, stamping the heels of their topboots, and winking at the audience, Polly did not think it at all funny, but looked disgusted, and was glad when they were gone; but when another set appeared in a costume consisting of gauze wings, and a bit of gold fringe round the waist, poor unfashionable Polly did n't know what to do; for she felt both frightened and indignant, and sat with her eyes on her play-bill, and her cheeks getting hotter and hotter every minute.

"What are you blushing so for?" asked Fanny, as the painted sylphs vanished.

"I 'm so ashamed of those girls," whispered Polly, taking a long breath of relief.

"You little goose,­it 's just the way it was done in Paris, and the dancing is splendid. It seems queer at first; but you 'll get used to it, as I did.""I 'll never come again," said Polly, decidedly; for her innocent nature rebelled against the spectacle, which, as yet, gave her more pain than pleasure. She did not know how easy it was to "get used to it," as Fanny did; and it was well for her that the temptation was not often offered.

She could not explain the feeling; but she was glad when the play was done, and they were safe at home, where kind grandma was waiting to see them comfortably into bed.

"Did you have a good time, dear?" she asked, looking at Polly's feverish cheeks and excited eyes.

"I don't wish to be rude, but I did n't," answered Polly. "Some of it was splendid; but a good deal of it made me want to go under the seat.

People seemed to like it, but I don't think it was proper."As Polly freed her mind, and emphasized her opinion with a decided rap of the boot she had just taken off, Fanny laughed, and said, while she pirouetted about the room, like Mademoiselle Therese, "Polly was shocked, grandma. Her eyes were as big as saucers. her face as red as my sash, and once I thought she was going to cry. Some of it was rather queer;but, of course, it was proper, or all our set would n't go. I heard Mrs.

Smythe Perkins say, 'It was charming; so like dear Paris;' and she has lived abroad; so, of course, she knows what is what.""I don't care if she has. I know it was n't proper for little girls to see, or I should n't have been so ashamed!" cried sturdy Polly, perplexed, but not convinced, even by Mrs. Smythe Perkins.

"I think you are right, my dear; but you have lived in the country, and have n't yet learned that modesty has gone out of fashion." And with a good-night kiss, grandma left Polly to dream dreadfully of dancing in jockey costume, on a great stage; while Tom played a big drum in the orchestra;and the audience all wore the faces of her father and mother, looking sorrowfully at her, with eyes like saucers, and faces as red as Fanny's sash.

同类推荐
  • 读书止观录

    读书止观录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 慎子

    慎子

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 续资治通鉴长编拾补

    续资治通鉴长编拾补

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 脉诀考证

    脉诀考证

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 萤雪丛说

    萤雪丛说

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 福妻驾到

    福妻驾到

    现代饭店彪悍老板娘魂穿古代。不分是非的极品婆婆?三年未归生死不明的丈夫?心狠手辣的阴毒亲戚?贪婪而好色的地主老财?吃上顿没下顿的贫困宭境?不怕不怕,神仙相助,一技在手,天下我有!且看现代张悦娘,如何身带福气玩转古代,开面馆、收小弟、左纳财富,右傍美男,共绘幸福生活大好蓝图!!!!快本新书《天媒地聘》已经上架开始销售,只要3.99元即可将整本书抱回家,你还等什么哪,赶紧点击下面的直通车,享受乐乐精心为您准备的美食盛宴吧!)
  • 仙剑问妖

    仙剑问妖

    大战启,三界乱。天地崩,修罗现。残阳如血,彼岸花艳。宿命谁解,回首人枉然。中域破,百兽侵。乾坤锁,仙剑出。往事已伤,不死军灭。寂寥何妨,笑对潇潇暮雨。
  • 农门医香之田园致富

    农门医香之田园致富

    大龄剩女一朝睡醒,主任医师变成身了未知时代的软包子村姑。得了极品后娘,还有同样软包子憨实的老爹,下还有聪明的妹妹以及可爱萌娃的弟弟。更惨的是还有一个等着娶亲的断腿未婚夫。家里穷的四面徒壁,就快断粮,面对恶毒的后娘,还有瘫在床上,天天板着棺材脸,活像别人欠了他百八十两的便宜丈夫。且看软包子村姑如何翻身做主,靠着一手精湛的医术,还有源源不绝的致富点子发家。打倒恶毒后娘,给弟妹当靠山,将黑面神的丈夫照顾的服服贴贴,最后成为富甲一方的女富商,以及一代人人称赞的神医。
  • 福妻驾到

    福妻驾到

    现代饭店彪悍老板娘魂穿古代。不分是非的极品婆婆?三年未归生死不明的丈夫?心狠手辣的阴毒亲戚?贪婪而好色的地主老财?吃上顿没下顿的贫困宭境?不怕不怕,神仙相助,一技在手,天下我有!且看现代张悦娘,如何身带福气玩转古代,开面馆、收小弟、左纳财富,右傍美男,共绘幸福生活大好蓝图!!!!快本新书《天媒地聘》已经上架开始销售,只要3.99元即可将整本书抱回家,你还等什么哪,赶紧点击下面的直通车,享受乐乐精心为您准备的美食盛宴吧!)
  • 白云集

    白云集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 月下三绝曲

    月下三绝曲

    最痛苦的回忆,成就了最完美的音乐;最伤心的离别,换回了最幸福的人生!一个幸福的家庭,突遭横祸;一个阳光的少年,变得淡漠。被命运掌控的人生,到底是福是祸?
  • 冷少的娇妻

    冷少的娇妻

    她是艾宝儿,艾氏的小公主,集万千宠爱于一身,只是这一切在家族事业倒塌那一刻,荡然无存,被父亲亲自推出去牺牲,丢了最后的一点尊严,从此变得没心没肺,冷看人生。他京都商业巨贾,传闻他阴森冷血,邪肆残暴,如同恶魔般存在的男人,却独独宠着一个女人,宠到令人发指的地步。(本文纯属虚构,请勿模仿。)
  • 秦预

    秦预

    一具两千年前的完好女尸,“说”出了一个惊世预言——秦始王再度统一天下!
  • 我主轮回

    我主轮回

    穿越了,是跟女娲……一到轮回位面,就撞到了一个女人,还招来追杀,逃跑间却是闯入禁地,被人不分青红皂白的穿了琵琶骨……
  • 都市最强锦衣卫

    都市最强锦衣卫

    概括:古代锦衣卫重生在一个经常毒打妻子的丈夫身上,从乡村开始,行走都市。事业路线:铁骨铮铮的拳击锦标赛之路!主旨:当他知道李小龙后,决定做李小龙一样的男人!他要将华夏功夫,带向全世界!“若我重生在早百年,病夫二字之前,将不会是东亚!”安琰如是说。“一个正直、刚毅、还有点好色的锦衣卫。”作者如是说。“小白文。”读者如是说。“古穿今,代入感不好,题材小众,扑。”编辑如是说。“这简介不错,他吗的投一票看看!”看这简介的帅哥美女,如是说。