As it was a rainy day , she went upstairs to amuse herself in one of the large chambers , and took Polly with her for company . In this room there was a wardrobe full of old-fashioned costumes with which Esther allowed her to play , and it was her favorite amusement to array herself in the faded brocades , and parade up and down before the long mirror , making stately curtsies , and sweeping her train about with a rustle which delighted her ears . So busy was she on this day that she did not hear Laurie 's ring nor see his face peeping in at her as she gravely promenaded to and fro , flirting her fan and tossing her head , on which she wore a great pink turban , contrasting oddly with her blue brocade dress and yellow quilted petticoat . She was obliged to walk carefully , for she had on high-heeled shoes , and , as Laurie told Jo afterward , it was a comical sight to see her mince along in her gay suit , with Polly sidling and bridling just behind her , imitating her as well as he could , and occasionally stopping to laugh or exclaim , `` Ai n't we fine ? Get along , you fright ! Hold your tongue ! Kiss me , dear ! Ha ! Ha ! '' Having with difficulty restrained an explosion of merriment , lest it should offend her majesty , Laurie tapped and was graciously received . `` Sit down and rest while I put these things away , then I want to consult you about a very serious matter , '' said Amy , when she had shown her splendor and driven Polly into a corner . `` That bird is the trial of my life , '' she continued , removing the pink mountain from her head , while Laurie seated himself astride a chair . `` Yesterday , when Aunt was asleep and I was trying to be as still as a mouse , Polly began to squall and flap about in his cage , so I went to let him out , and found a big spider there . I poked it out , and it ran under the bookcase . Polly marched straight after it , stooped down and peeped under the bookcase , saying , in his funny way , with a cock of his eye , ` Come out and take a walk , my dear . ' I could n't help laughing , which made Poll swear , and Aunt woke up and scolded us both . '' `` Did the spider accept the old fellow 's invitation ? '' asked Laurie , yawning . `` Yes , out it came , and away ran Polly , frightened to death , and scrambled up on Aunt 's chair , calling out , ` Catch her ! Catch her !
XXXXX her ! '
Catch calling came frightened promenaded put saying sweeping tossing trying