_F._ How _per_-fectly horrid! Men are the _worst_ creatures. I declare, I think those dreadful clubs ought to be suppressed. _A._ So do I. They do say the most outrageous things. I don't see how they can sit and listen to them. _F._ I don't, either. _A._ And they talk over all the scandals. _F._ Yes, it is simply diabolical. How perfectly sweet it is to have a brother who will tell you all about it. _A._ Isn't it? It is almost as good as going myself. _F._ Will never tells me a single thing (_moving on into the hall_). Well, be sure you come, and come as early as you can. Good-bye. (_Kisses her._) _A._ Good-bye. That boa is just as becoming as it can be. _F._ Do you think so? Clara Martin's makes her look as if she hadn't any neck at all. _A._ Oh, you can wear anything. _F._ Thank you, dear. But then you can afford to say so, because you can wear anything yourself. Would you ask Jack about the orange feathers? _A._ Oh, he wouldn't know. Men never know what girls have on,--except Clarence Key, and he's a perfect man-milliner. Did I tell you what he said to Kate West at the Westons' tea? I'd have scratched his eyes out. _F._ No; what in the world did he say? _A._ You won't repeat it? Because I told Kate I wouldn't tell. She was so furious she had to tell somebody. _F._ I'll never tell. What was it? _A._ You know that tailor-made gown she wears? The one made of gray corduroy? Well, Clarence Key asked her if she got it so her husband could have it made into riding trousers, after she was done with it. Did you ever _hear_ such impertinence? _F._ He didn't really! _A._ He really did! _F._ Why, Alice! I should think she'd have killed him. I would. _A._ So would I. _F._ (_putting her hand on the handle of the door_) Well, good-bye. Give my love to Blanche when you write. _A._ Yes, I will. _F._ I shall see you to-morrow? _A._ Yes. Good-bye. [_Fanny opens the door, and a blast of cold wind rushes in._] _F._ Ugh! How awfully cold it is. I wish I had taken the carriage. _A._ I went over to Ethel Mott's this morning, and I thought I should freeze to _death_. _F._ I hope I sha'n't get pneumonia or anything. I want to go to the Claytons' ball. _A._ Oh, do tell me; what are you going to wear? _F._ (_returning and closing the door_) There, that is one thing I wanted to ask you about. I want you to go in white, and I'll wear that black lace I had made in New York last winter. I've never worn it here at all, and that's the most stylish gown I ever had in my whole life. _A._ Wouldn't that be striking? We could go in together. I'll have a new white tulle, and wear my pearls. I'll make Aunt Alicia lend me hers, too. _F._ That will be _too_ lovely. _A._ And you'll wear diamonds? _F._ Oh, no. I wore jet in New York. Not a single thing but black about me; not even my fan-sticks. _A._ How _per_-fectly enchanting! _F._ Will you do it? _A._ Of course I will. I'll buy the stuff to-morrow.