But it is dull work for me , as I never win , ' answered Bess , fanning herself with a large leaf . Josie was about to sit down beside her on the rustic seat and wait , when her quick eye saw afar off two manly forms arrayed in white flannel ; their blue legs seemed bearing them towards the battle going on in the distance ; but they never reached the fray ; for with a cry of joy , Jo raced away to meet them , bent on securing this heaven-sent reinforcement . Both paused as she came flying up , and both raised their hats ; but oh , the difference there was in the salutes ! The stout youth pulled his off lazily and put it on again at once , as if glad to get the duty over ; the slender being , with the crimson tie , lifted his with a graceful bend , and held it aloft while he accosted the rosy , breathless maid , thus permitting her to see his raven locks smoothly parted , with one little curl upon the brow . Dolly prided himself upon that bow , and practised it before his glass , but did not bestow it upon all alike , regarding it as a work of art , fit only for the fairest and most favoured of his female admirers ; for he was a pretty youth , and fancied himself an Adonis . Eager Josie evidently did not appreciate the honour he did her , for with a nod she begged them both to ` come along and play tennis , not go and get all hot and dirty with the boys ' . These two adjectives won the day ; for Stuffy was already warmer than he liked to be , and Dolly had on a new suit which he desired to keep immaculate as long as possible , conscious that it was very becoming . ` Charmed to oblige , ' answered the polite one , with another bend . ` You play , I 'll rest , ' added the fat boy , yearning for repose and gentle converse with the Princess in the cooling shade . ` Well , you can comfort Bess , for I 've beaten her all to bits and she needs amusing . I know you 've got something nice in your pocket , George ; give her some , and ` Dolphus can have her racket . Now then , fly round ' ; and driving her prey before her , Josie returned in triumph to the court . Casting himself ponderously upon the bench , which creaked under his weight , Stuffy -- as we will continue to call him , though no one else dared to use the old name now -- promptly produced the box of confectionery , without which he never travelled far , and regaled Bess with candied violets and other dainties , while Dolly worked hard to hold his own against a most accomplished antagonist . He would have beaten her if an unlucky stumble , which produced an unsightly stain upon the knee of those new shorts , had not distracted his mind and made him careless . Much elated at her victory , Josie permitted him to rest , and offered ironical consolation for the mishap which evidently weighed upon his mind . ` Do n't be an old Betty ; it can be cleaned . You must have been a cat in some former state , you are so troubled about dirt ; or a tailor , and lived for clothes . ' ` Come now , do n't hit a fellow when he is down , ' responded Dolly from the grass where he and Stuffy now lay to make room for both girls on the seat . One handkerchief was spread under him , and his elbow leaned upon another , while his eyes were sadly fixed upon the green and brown spot which afflicted him . ' I like to be neat ; do n't think it civil to cut about in old shoes and grey flannel shirts before ladies .
Our fellows are gentlemen , and dress as such , ' he XXXXX , rather nettled at the word ` tailor ' ; for he owed one of those too attractive persons an uncomfortably big bill .
added curl fancied fixed hit offered practised see sit spread