MRS. HUNTER.  Here they are.

[Rises as TOMPSON enters Right.

TOMPSON.  Mrs. Hunter’s reception gown.

[Displaying it.

CLARA.  Oh, this is a beauty!

[She takes the costume and drapes it over a chair. MISS GODESBY and MISS SILLERTON come closer to examine.

MRS. HUNTER.  Tompson.—­[Taking her to one side, whispers.]—­I forget; do you remember what I paid for this dress?

TOMPSON. [Whispers back.] One hundred and sixty dollars, madam.

MRS. HUNTER.  Oh, yes.  Don’t say anything. [Returning to the others.]
Do you like it?

MISS SILLERTON.  Perfectly lovely! }
                                     } [At the same time.
MISS GODESBY.  Immensely.  It’s great! }

MRS. HUNTER. [Hesitates.] I forget just what I paid for it, but I believe it was two hundred dollars.

[CLARA half exclaims in astonishment, but on being pinched surreptitiously on the arm by MRS. HUNTER she grasps the situation and starts in to do her share.

CLARA.  Oh, no, mama!  I’m sure it was more than that!

MRS. HUNTER.  Well, perhaps it was two—­twenty or two—­twenty-five.

TROTTER.  That’s cheap, isn’t it?

MISS GODESBY.  Shut up.

[TOMPSON’S face is always a perfect blank, showing no expression or surprise; she has lived with MRS. HUNTER for many years and “knows her business."

MISS GODESBY. [In a very different tone of voice, influenced by the big price.] Of course, I see it’s made of the best material.  But it isn’t my color.

MRS. HUNTER.  It’s the very latest shade.

MISS GODESBY.  Yes, I know; but I think as you said a little while ago, perhaps it is a trifle too old for me.

MRS. HUNTER.  I might let you have it for a little less; say one hundred and eighty.

MISS GODESBY.  Thank you very much.  I’ll think it over.

MISS SILLERTON.  What’s the other?

CLARA.  This is a dinner dress of Jess’.

[Holding it up to her own waist.

MISS SILLERTON. [Carried away by the dress.] Oh, lovely,—­perfectly charming,—­an adorable gown!

[MISS GODESBY pulls her arm and tries to make her less enthusiastic.

MISS GODESBY. [To CLARA and MRS. HUNTER.] Excuse me.

[She takes MISS SILLERTON to one side and whispers in her ear.

MISS SILLERTON. [Aloud.] I can’t help it.  I’m crazy about the dress!

[Meanwhile MRS. HUNTER and TOMPSON have whispered together.

MRS. HUNTER.  They said themselves this was the most successful frock they turned out this autumn.

MISS SILLERTON.  And how much is this one?

MRS. HUNTER. [Very quickly, trying not to speak consciously.] This was two hundred and seventy-five.