Although
Melanie, and especially April, are a little resentful at first at having to share the secret of
the Egypt Game with Elizabeth, who has just moved into the neighborhood, they quickly discover
that the little fourth-grader is a delightful child and a welcome addition to the group. For
one thing, Elizabeth is quiet and unassuming, and completely appreciative of everything the
older girls do. Her "pretty tilted eyes (become) wide with wonder at almost anything (they
tell) her", which is a great boost to their egos (Chapter 7), and she does "everything
April and Melanie (do), only softer" (Chapter 15). Not only that, but April and Melanie
notice immediately that, in profile, Elizabeth looks exactly like the ancient Egyptian queen
Nefertiti - "Elizabeth's ponytial pull(s) her hair back away from her face and neck, and
there (is) certainly something about her delicate, slender-necked profile that (is) very like
the statue of Nefertiti" (Chapter 7).
In addition to looking the part
and being a completely amiable playmate, Elizabeth is creative, and very "artistic with her
hands". It is she who delights everyone with the idea of costumes for the Egypt Game.
Elizabeth makes herself "a Nefertiti headdress out of a plastic bleach bottle with the top
cut off", inspiring Melanie to get some old curtains from her mother to make "sheer
flowing robes for everyone", and April to go around to all the ladies in the apartment
asking for old junk jewelry which they can use to decorate their robes, or use "just as
they (are)" (Chapter 8).
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