Part 14 (1/2)

TROTTER. [_Also in a lowered voice to_ MISS G.o.dESBY.] Dodo!

[TOMPSON _goes out Right._

[MRS. HUNTER _and_ CLARA _come back._

MISS G.o.dESBY. You really couldn't take less than three hundred?

MRS. HUNTER. I wish I could if only for your own sake; but I really couldn't in justice to myself.

MISS G.o.dESBY. I'm very sorry--and I'm afraid we must be going now.

MRS. HUNTER. [_Not believing they will go._] Oh, must you? Well, it was very kind of you to come.

[MISS G.o.dESBY _leaves her m.u.f.f upon the table at the Left._

MISS SILLERTON. [_Shakes hands with_ MRS. HUNTER.] Good-by.

[_She goes on to_ CLARA.

[MISS G.o.dESBY _comes to shake hands with_ MRS. HUNTER.

MRS. HUNTER. I think you're making a mistake not to take the dress, Julia dear.

MISS G.o.dESBY. Perhaps, but I really can't go more than two hundred and fifty.

[MRS. HUNTER _looks surrept.i.tiously at_ CLARA, _who slyly shakes her head to her mother._

MRS. HUNTER. Oh, quite impossible!

MISS G.o.dESBY. Good-by.

MRS. HUNTER. Good-by.

MISS G.o.dESBY. Good-by, Clara.

MRS. HUNTER. [_Frightened._] Would you like to see the dress off?

MISS G.o.dESBY. Oh, my dear, it was as _off_ as I would ever like to see it. Good-by.

MRS. HUNTER. Good-by. [MISS SILLERTON _and_ MISS G.o.dESBY _get to doorway Left._] You _won't_ take it?

MISS G.o.dESBY. _Can't!_ Good-by.

CLARA. [_Dryly._] You're forgetting your m.u.f.f!

TROTTER. Rubber!

MISS G.o.dESBY. [_Coming back for it._] How stupid!

[_She goes away to the door again in silence, which is full of suspense for all of them. As she reaches the door_ MRS. HUNTER _speaks._