Clara listened to Emeline, she had a point. It might be nice to feel special once, it sometimes seemed like her whole life was work work, both at home on the family farm and then at the diner, not that she disliked either of those jobs but still. Besides she valued the woman's opinions.

"I suppose this qualifies as a special occasion. Even if I am working," she shrugged. Besides most of their work would be finished by the actual dance. They will have baked all the food and then in the morning set out their handiwork on the tables. Once that was over, it was basically just watch the dance goers help themselves to th treats they had laid out.

"You can try it on and see how it feels, and either way, I think we can alter something to fit you and make you shine."

"I suppose. I do not wish to spoil one of your dresses though just for me. I have my doubts there is no dress that exists that can make the likes of me shine," she shrugged.

"Nonsense, and there is more to shining than being pretty." Not that the girl had no hope in that topic, and they had discussed this before. "We can do your hair, too," she brushed some stray strands from Clara's forehead, "and we'll get you a pretty dress...and once the table is set up, you should be free to do what you like."

Of course, she wasn't sure that Clara wanted to be released from that obligation, for it made a good excuse, and Emeline would let the girl do as she felt best.

"Don't worry about the dress, we'll figure something, but we need to do that quickly so there is time for the alterations. Then you need to just smile more, and learn to feel sorry for those who can't see how wonderful you are."

"Nonsense, and there is more to shining than being pretty."

Clara huffed, "That is fortunate or I would have no light at all."

Emeline suggested they do her hair too, intriguing thought actually. Clara was always in pigtails and they were indeed a lot of work too. Perhaps she should try letting her hair hang loose on occasion? She would consider it.

As for minding the table at the dance, she assured the woman, "Thank you but I do not mind as it is highly unlikely anyone is going to ask the likes of me to dance."

Emeline said not to worry about the dress, she would get on it and they would make it all work, from the right garment to the necessary alterations. And in truth, Clara trusted Emeline would indeed come thru.

Now as for that 'smile' advice though...

"Smile more? I do smile," Clara objected with a frown then gave it some quick thought, "Well, perhaps I could do with more smiling........ on occasion I suppose."

A reluctant admission coming from her, but maybe only Emeline could get this kind of concession out of the serious minded farm girl.

"Well, only when it's appropriate." Emeline laughed. "Only thing worse than no smile is a false one. Be yourself, there's no obligation to like a boy in a romantic way, and there is no reason you can't be friends with a boy...a young man." Clara was, indeed, a young lady, at that age where more permanent relationships were in the future. Not that Emeline was worried about Clara jumping into something, rather, resisting what might be there.

"Clothes are a wrapping, and it doesn't hurt to be fancy now and then, but the gift is what's inside." Well, that was rather cheesy, but Emeline wasn't practiced in giving out this sort of advice. "The best part is that at the end of the evening, your normal clothes feel like warm, old companions!"

She liked that part, going back to being just herself, in her comfortable clothes.