| 𝙺𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚍 | 𝙶.𝙱𝚕𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚎 | 𝙳𝚒𝚜𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚞𝚎𝚍

6 | "THE DETERMING ACTS OF HER LIFE."

     ALICE SAT IN a circle with Anne, Diana, Ruby, Jane and Tillie. All of them blew upon a feather to keep it from touching the ground. They began to laugh which caused it to fall slowly to the ground.

"Ruby, this is serious. We're supposed to be studying each others lips. I think yours are delicate and inviting." Anne smiled.

"Really?" The girl asked.

"And Tillies are soft, even to the eye. Jane's are shaped like a rosebud begining to bloom."

"I think Alice's are most luscious." Diana smiled at her older friend.

"Mine are awful." Anne sighed. "Like the fat caterpillars that live in our old willow tree."

"They do look a bit swollen." Jane agreed.

"Its my own fault. I have a terrible habit of chewing on my bottom lip when I'm thinking. The trouble is, I'm always thinking. Are they unpleasant to look at?"

"They are perfectly pink and luscious." Diana said to Anne.

"Diana, you without a doubt have the best, most kissable Cupids bow. The brightest smile to light any heart."

Ruby tried to hide her giggles as she spoke. "Do you think Prissy and Mr Phillip's have kissed?"

"Not yet." Jane answered as the group broke into laughter again. "But soon, I imagine. Prissy's studying for her Queen's Academy entrance exams and sometimes Mr Phillip's stops by out house to give her extra help."

"Prissy is only two years older than us, only a year older than Alice." Tillie spoke.

"I mean to have an official beau by the time I'm 15. I hope Gilbert will be back by then." Ruby nodded seriously.

"You think of nothing but beau's, Ruby." Anne chuckled.

"Well what's wrong with that?"

"I've never even seen a real kiss before. My parents dont go in for that kind of thing."

Alice pretended to listen as she thought of her own kiss with Gilbert. It was short but sweet and her first. She was pulled back into the conversation when Anne stood up from beside her.

"We could make a game. To see who could conduct the most romantic courtship. With brave knights and enchanted princesses, and sorceress and desperadoes! It'd be great practise. Diana, you can play the gallant young man." Anne picked up a feather from her table and knighted Diana. "Prince Wisteria, will thou let fly the Feather of Fortune and choose thu pure-hearted maiden?"

"I shall." Diana nodded as she received the feather, she stood and placed it above all the other girls and let go.

Everyone watched as it soon landed in Tillies lap, the girl got up and Anne sat down.

"What should I do Diana?" Tillie asked.

"Uh, Tillie. You shouldnt talk to Prince Wisteria as though he were out friend Diana. Its spoils the effect." Anne nodded.

Tillie moved and faced away from the girl in blue. She put her hands together and spoke. "I-I'm waiting for my handsome, young prince to come and claim me."