Bernice Bobs Her Hair

Francis Scott Fitzgerald

Summary

It's summertime, and the young, popular crowd, home from prep school and college, are looking to have fun. Unfortunately for Marjorie Harvey, her dull cousin Bernice is visiting for a month. Even though Marjorie is one of the most popular girls in town, nobody wants to hang out with poor Bernice, whose conversation is mostly limited to painfully awkward inquiries about the weather. Marjorie and Bernice may be cousins, but they couldn't be less similar – they're not friends, and they simply don't understand each other. Bernice doesn't really get the fact that she's a real snooze, and can't see why guys don't like her as much as other girls. She gets a hint as to why when she overhears a conversation between Marjorie and her mother, in which Marjorie comes out and says what's on everyone's minds: Bernice is just plain boring.

The next morning, the truth comes out – Bernice tells Marjorie that she heard everything that her cousin said the previous night, and a terrible fight ensues. At the end of the day, though, Bernice comes to a dramatic decision: she will put herself in Marjorie's hands, and try to learn the art of popularity. The lessons begin immediately, and by the next week, Bernice is ready for action. She immediately makes a splash by announcing that she intends to bob her hair. As a result of Marjorie's coaching, Bernice instantly becomes the toast of the town. For a few days, everything's peachy keen.

However, this happy situation can't last forever. Within a matter of days, Bernice has become incredibly popular – too popular for Marjorie's liking, in fact. Even Marjorie's most faithful suitor, Warren McIntyre, defects to Bernice's side, which is the last straw, as far as Marjorie is concerned. She tells everyone that Bernice's famous line about bobbing her hair is just a bluff (which it is). Embarrassed and caught up in the moment, Bernice agrees to get her hair cut that very day, in front of all of her new friends. However, the haircut is disastrous, and signals the end of Bernice's short moment in the spotlight. That night, Bernice flees – but, before she goes, she gets her revenge by cutting off Marjorie's long, beautiful braids of hair as she sleeps. Bernice leaves town triumphantly.

Available since: 06/05/2017.

Other books that might interest you

The Happy Prince and Other Tales

Oscar Wilde

In "The Model Millionaire", the destiny of a young, ambitious, brilliant pauper changes with an act of his misplaced generosity. "The Happy Prince" is one of Oscar Wilde’s renowned fairy tales. From his vantage point, high above the city, the statue of The Happy Prince gives of himself in a way most astonishing. In "The Sphinx Without a Secret", we learn of an enigmatic woman who holds a secret so close, no suitor can win her.

Show book

Plattner Story The (Unabridged)

H. G. Wells

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

Show book

Uncle Tom's Cabin

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Uncle Tom's Cabin is a direct attack upon the slavery system that existed in the Southern States. The story was first published in serial form in 1851-52. Becoming immediately famous, the novel was translated into many foreign languages and has since been published in innumerable editions. This book is credited with being a catalyst to change public opinion in the United States against slavery, which was ultimately abolished as a result of the war between the Northern and Southern States in 1861-65. This is an important and history-changing book.

Show book

The Return of Tarzan

Edgar Rice Burroughs

Tarzan had renounced his right to the woman he loved, and civilization held no pleasure for him. After a brief and harrowing period among men, he turned back to the African jungle where he had grown to manhood. It was there he first heart of Opar, the city of gold, left over from fabled Atlantis.It was a city of hideous men-and of beautiful, savage women, over whom reigned La, high priestess of the Flaming God. Its altars were stained with the blood of many sacrifices. Unheeding of the dangers, Tarzan led a band of savage warriors toward the ancient crypts and the more ancient evil of Opar.

Show book

The Last of the Mohicans

James Fenimore Cooper

The Last of the Mohicans is an epic story of romance and adventure on the American frontier. It is a story of love and loyalty, and of America's coming of age. 
 
While the French and Indians besiege Fort William Henry, Cora and Alice Munro, daughters of the English commander, are on their way to join him. They are accompanied by Major Duncan Heyward, Alice's fiancé, and by the treacherous Indian Magua, who secretly serves the French. 
 
Magua plans to betray the party to the Iroquois, and to claim Cora as his squaw, but he is foiled by the scout Hawkeye and his companions, Chingachgook and his son Uncas, who deliver the girls to their father. 
 
After the fall of the fort, the girls are given safe passage by the French, but Magua captures them and they become prisoners of the Indians. To rescue Alice and Cora, Hawkeye and Uncas lead the Mohicans against the Hurons, an action filled with unforeseen consequences for all of them. 
 
This novel is part of Brilliance Audio's extensive Classic Collection, bringing you timeless masterpieces that you and your family are sure to love.

Show book

The Facts in the Case of M Valdemar

Sampi Books, Edgar Allan Poe

"The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar", by Edgar Allan Poe, recounts the experimentation of hypnosis on Valdemar, on the verge of death, resulting in a prolonged suspension between life and death. After months, his accelerated decomposition occurs when he is awakened, culminating in a horrifying outcome.

Show book