Part 11 (2/2)
TROTTER. Whose treat?
MISS G.o.dESBY. Oh! _Yours_, of course--
TROTTER. I say, why can't I stay? I won't interfere.
MRS. HUNTER. Oh, do stay, Mr. Trotter!
MISS G.o.dESBY. Oh, do stay!
[_Suggesting by her tone that he mustn't dare to remain._
CLARA. Good!
[TROTTER _remains, and they all settle themselves again for a long stay._
MRS. HUNTER. By the way, you were speaking just now of your winter frocks. It occurs to me--of course I don't know as I really want to dispose of them, but--er--
[_She hesitates purposely._
MISS G.o.dESBY. Oh, _would_ you? [_Rising, she takes a chair nearer to_ MRS. HUNTER.] You _dear_ thing!
MRS. HUNTER. The dresses are no use to us now, and when _we're_ out of mourning--_they'll_ be out of style. You could wear Jess' things perfectly, Julia.
MISS SILLERTON. And even something of yours could be made over for us.
MRS. HUNTER. But I'm so much older than you!
MISS SILLERTON. [_Thoughtlessly._] Yes, but you never dress appropriately to your age.
CLARA. [_Laughing delightedly._] That's pretty good!
MISS SILLERTON. [_Saves herself._] You know what I mean, you always _look_ so _youthful_, you _can't_ dress any older.
MRS. HUNTER. [_Rising._] Clara, dear, go upstairs and have Tompson bring down my Worth dress and Jess' Doucet and your Paquin. [_She goes with_ CLARA _to the door, Right, and then whispers to her._] If you remember, don't tell what we paid--we ought to get nearly double out of these girls--and warn Tompson not to be surprised at anything she hears.
[MISS G.o.dESBY _and_ MISS SILLERTON _exchange glances._ CLARA _goes out Right._
MRS. HUNTER. It seems as if I had no further interest in clothes, anyway.
MISS G.o.dESBY. Don't say that. Every one I've seen this afternoon is wildly enthusiastic over your mourning.
MRS. HUNTER. Well, I went straight to Madame O'Hoolihan and gave her carte blank!
MISS G.o.dESBY. I wouldn't like to be the ice man when your bill comes in!--and clothes abroad are so much cheaper.
MRS. HUNTER. [_Thoughtlessly._] Oh, _half!_
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