replied Psyche , hurrying on her gray linen pinafore . `` That wo n't do ; I know something interesting happened , for you 've been blushing , and you look brisker than usual this morning , '' said the first speaker , polishing off the massive nose of her Homer . `` It was n't anything , '' began Psyche a little reluctantly . `` I was coming up in a hurry when I ran against a man coming down in a hurry . My portfolio slipped , and my papers went flying all about the landing . Of course we both laughed and begged pardon , and I began to pick them up , but he would n't let me ; so I held the book while he collected the sketches . I saw him glance at them as he did so , and that made me blush , for they are wretched things , you know . '' `` Not a bit of it ; they are capital , and you are a regular genius , as we all agree , '' cut in the Homeric Miss Cutter . `` Never tell people they are geniuses unless you wish to spoil them , '' returned Psyche severely . `` Well , when the portfolio was put to rights I was going on , but he fell to picking up a little bunch of violets I had dropped ; you know I always wear a posy into town to give me inspiration . I did n't care for the dusty flowers , and told him so , and hurried away before any one came . At the top of the stairs I peeped over the railing , and there he was , gathering up every one of those half-dead violets as carefully as if they had been tea-roses . '' `` Psyche Dean , you have met your fate this day ! '' exclaimed a third damsel , with straw-colored tresses , and a good deal of weedy shrubbery in her hat , which gave an Ophelia-like expression to her sentimental countenance . Psyche frowned and shook her head , as if half sorry she had told her little story . `` Was he handsome ? '' asked Miss Larkins , the believer in fate . `` I did n't particularly observe . '' `` It was the red-headed man , whom we call Titian : he 's always on the stairs . '' `` No , it was n't ; his hair was brown and curly , '' cried Psyche , innocently falling into the trap .
`` Like Peerybingle 's baby when its cap was taken off , '' quoted XXXXX Dickenson , who pined to drop the last two letters of her name .
Miss anything course day deal landing pardon people shrubbery things