As she was on the way to the party, she could hardly keep from
crying.

"What is the matter?" said her father.

"Nothing, father," said Alice, "only a little headache; mother has
tied my hair too tight."

"Loosen it," said her father.

Alice did loosen it, so that the string was just ready to come off.

When she arrived at her aunt's, where her father left her, I was
just escaping from my hateful confinement, and her aunt took hold of
the hair as the string fell on the floor.

"Shall I tie it on again, Alice, or shall your pretty hair go just
so? I don't see the use of tying it, but, if you really wish it, my
dear, just step up stairs, and Jane will do it for you very nicely.
Perhaps your mother would choose it to be tied; she is very
particular. It is a pity to confine such beautiful curls, but, if it
must be so, we can't help it. Will you go up stairs? Here is the
string; it dropped on the floor."

"No," said Alice, "it is of no consequence;" and she put the string
into her pocket.

Again I fell upon her beautiful forehead, and kissed her rosy
cheeks; and every one admired my beauty.