Part 13 (2/2)

MISS G.o.dESBY. I think the price is too much.

TROTTER. Oh, go on, pay it!

MISS G.o.dESBY. Will you sign the check?

TROTTER. _Excuse me!_

CLARA. I'd give twice that if only I could wear it to one ball this winter!

MRS. HUNTER. I wouldn't part with it for a penny less. I couldn't afford to.

[_The manners and voices of all become a little strained._

MISS G.o.dESBY. That is of course your affair.

MRS. HUNTER. [_Politely._] We needn't keep Marie any longer, at any rate, need we? You can go, Marie, and you too, Tompson.

[CLARA _and_ MRS. HUNTER _help place the other dresses on_ TOMPSON'S _arms._

MISS SILLERTON. [_To_ MISS G.o.dESBY, _on the opposite side of the room, in a lowered voice._] I'll take it; I'm willing to pay that.

MISS G.o.dESBY. Don't you dare interfere! I want the gown, but I know she'll come down,--if she doesn't, I'll make a bluff at going. Then if she sticks to her price, I'll come back and pay it.

[_They turn to_ MRS. HUNTER.

MISS SILLERTON. Oh, Mrs. Hunter, may I see my dress just one more minute?

MRS. HUNTER. Certainly.

[_She and_ CLARA _come back with the dress._

MARIE. [_To_ TOMPSON _by the door at Right._]

_Vite!_ Come! Come! Jordan 'ave stole ze photograph machine of Mees Clara, and he make now one pigsher of me in ze dress!

[_Smiling mischievously, delighted, she goes out Right._

MISS SILLERTON. Thank you.

[_She leaves her dress._

MRS. HUNTER. Take this too, Tompson.

TOMPSON. Yes, madam.

[MRS. HUNTER _speaks to_ TOMPSON, _aside, and_ CLARA, _near them, watches the two visitors out of the corner of her eye._

MISS G.o.dESBY. [_Aside to_ MISS SILLERTON.] I'll leave my m.u.f.f; that'll be a good excuse to come back.

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