Part 10 (1/2)
”Four,” said the Countess, curtly. This was rather miserly measure, four ells and a third being the usual reckoning; but Mistress Underdone measured and cut in silence.
”Thou mayest allow a third more for the silk and c.r.a.pe,” said the Countess, in a fit of unusual generosity.
Mistress Underdone finished her measuring, laying each piece of material neatly folded on the last, until the table held a tall heap of them.
”Now for hoods,” pursued the Countess. ”Black cloth for two, lined with cats' fur; russet for two more. Capes for outdoor wear--two of the green serge; one of black cloth lined with cats' fur; one of silk. Four linen wimples; two pairs of cloth boots, two of slippers; two corsets; three of those broidered kerchiefs, one better than the others; four pairs of hosen. Measure off also twenty-four ells of linen cloth.”
”Of what price, if it please my Lady?”
”Fivepence the ell. And the boots of sixpence a pair. What did that green serge cost?”
”Threepence the ell, my Lady.”
”That is monstrous. Have I no cheaper? Twopence would be good enough for her.”
”If it please my Lady, there is only that coa.r.s.e grey serge at three halfpence the ell, which was bought for the cook-maids.”
”Humph! I suppose that would scarcely do,” said the Countess, in a tone which sounded as if she wished it would. ”Well, then--those ornaments.
She must have a silver fibula, I suppose; and a copper-gilt one for common. What made thee put out all those other things? That is enough for her. If she wants a silver chain, her husband must give it her; I shall not. As to rings and necklaces, they are all nonsense--not fit for such as she.”
”Would my Lady think proper to allow a dovecote with silver pins?”
The dovecote was a head-dress, a kind of round caul of gold or silver network, secured by gold or silver pins fastened in the hair.
”Not I. Let her husband give her such fooleries.”
”And may I request to know what my Lady allows for making the garments?”
”Three halfpence each.”
”Might I be pardoned if I remind my Lady that the usual price is twopence each?”
”For me, perhaps; not for her.”
Mistress Underdone went on measuring the linen in silence.
”There, that finishes for Clarice,” said the Countess. ”Now for Diana.
She may have a silver chain in addition, two of the best kerchiefs, and--no, that is enough. Otherwise let her have just the same.”
”If my Lady would graciously indulge her servant with permission to ask it, do the maidens know yet what is to befall them?”
”No. I shall tell them on Sunday. Time enough.”
And the Countess left Mistress Underdone to finish the work by herself.
”On Sunday! Only two days beforehand!” said Agatha Underdone to herself. ”Diana will stand it. She is one that would not care much for anything of that kind, and she will rule the house. But Clarice! If she should have given her heart elsewhere!--and I have fancied, lately, that she has given it somewhere. That poor child!”
”But how can we?” queried Clarice. ”If I were to speak to the Lady-- even if I dared--I doubt--”
”I do not doubt, sweetheart,” replied Sir Piers. ”No, the path must be rather mere winding than that, though I confess I hate tortuous paths.