MISS SILLERTON.  Good-by, Trotter.

MISS GODESBY.  Don’t forget we’re booked with you at Sherry’s.

TROTTER.  Whose treat?

MISS GODESBY.  Oh! Yours, of course—­

TROTTER.  I say, why can’t I stay?  I won’t interfere.

MRS. HUNTER.  Oh, do stay, Mr. Trotter!

MISS GODESBY.  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 GODESBY.  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 GODESBY and MISS SILLERTON exchange glances. CLARA goes out Right.

MRS. HUNTER.  It seems as if I had no further interest in clothes, anyway.

MISS GODESBY.  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 GODESBY.  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!

MISS GODESBY. [Quickly.] You see you’ll be doing us a really great favor letting us have some of your things!

MRS. HUNTER. [Realizing her nearly fatal error.] Oh!  Oh, yes—­but—­er—­I must say that we found prices while in Paris this year rather atrocious!

[CLARA reenters Right.

CLARA. [Sighs.] O dear!  It breaks my heart not to wear my ball dress, my dear Julia; it was designed specially for me.  I told Marie to put it on, mama; my clothes fit her perfectly, and I thought it would show so much better what it is.