Part 15 (2/2)
On Sunday he ate voraciously, drank four gla.s.ses of grog, and threw the wash-hand basin out of window.
On Monday Mrs. Buzza revolted, and took herself off, with the girls, to Miss Limpenny's party.
Yes. Miss Limpenny had mustered courage to put on her best brooch and call at ”The Bower” with Lavinia. Nor did her daring end here; it took the form of a little three-cornered note on that very evening, and on the next morning Mr. and Mrs. Goodwyn-Sandys accepted.
”Have great pleasure in accepting,” read Miss Limpenny to her sister.
”The very words. I'm sure it's most affable.”
”We must have cheesecakes--the famous cheesecakes--of course,”
reflected Miss Lavinia, ”and a dish of trifle, and jellies, and--oh, Priscilla!”
”What, Lavinia?”
”Do you think a Tipsy Cake would be unbecoming?”
Miss Limpenny knit her brows over this bold proposal.
”I disapprove of the name,” she said. ”It has always seemed to me a trifle--ahem!--'fast,' if I may call it so. Still, we need not mention its name at supper, and the taste is undeniably grateful.
But, Lavinia, I was thinking of a more important matter. Who are to be asked?”
”Why not everybody, Priscilla dear?”
”The Simpsons, for instance? It is true his father was a respectable solicitor, and even Mayor of Devonport I have heard, but Mr.
Simpson's taste in _badinage_ is such as I cannot always approve.
It is very well in Troy here, where everybody knows them, but the Goodwyn-Sandys are certain to be most particular, and, Lavinia, that crimson gown of hers!”
”It _is_ bright,” a.s.sented Miss Lavinia.
”And the Saunders! What a pity the girls cannot be invited without the boys.”
”The boys have always come before, Priscilla.”
Miss Limpenny groaned. ”To meet an Honourable, Lavinia!”
The leaven was working.
However, on the following Monday everybody was a.s.sembled in the little drawing-room. The Vicar was there in evening dress; the doctor and his wife; Mr. Simpson and Mrs. Simpson in the crimson gown; the Saunders boys in carpet slippers (at sight of which Miss Limpenny went hot and cold by turns); the Misses Buzza in book-muslin, with ultramarine sashes and bronze shoes laced sandal-wise; their mother in green satin and deadly terror lest the Admiral's voice should penetrate the party-wall. Mr. Moggridge was frowning gloomily in a corner at some humorous story of Sam Buzza's telling. In short, with the exception of their Admiral, all Trojan society had gathered to do honour to the new-comers.
Miss Limpenny, nervously toying with her best brooch, rose in a flutter as the door opened and admitted them.
”So afraid we are late! but the clocks at 'The Bower' have not yet recovered from their journey.”
Mrs. Goodwyn-Sandys gazed calmly about her. There was a rustle throughout the room; two pink spots appeared on Miss Limpenny's cheeks; she stumbled in her words of welcome. The Vicar frowned and looked puzzled.
Mrs. Goodwyn-Sandys wore a low-necked gown!
It was a shock; but it pa.s.sed. She was wonderfully pretty, all admitted, in her gown of a rich amber satin draped with delicate folds of black lace; around her white throat a diamond necklace glistened. How well I can remember her as she stood there toying with a b.u.t.ton of her glove! And how mean and dowdy we all looked beside this glittering vision!
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