_A Loyal Old Lady_ (_at the top of her voice--to Stall-keeper_). Which of 'em's the Princess, my dear, eh? It's her I paid _my_ money to see. _The Stall-keeper_ (_in a dismayed whisper_). Ssh! Not _quite_ so loud! There--just opposite--petunia bow in her bonnet--selling kittens. _The L. O. L._ (_planting herself on a chair_). So _that's_ her! Well, she _is_ dressed plain--for a Royalty--but looks _pleasant_ enough. I wouldn't mind taking one o' them kittings off her Royal 'Ighness myself, if they was going at all reasonable. But there, I expect, the cats _'ere_ is meat for my masters, so to speak; and you see, my dear, 'aving the promise of a tortoise-shell tom from the lady as keeps the Dairy next door, whenever---- [_She finds, with surprise, that her confidences are not encouraged._ _Miss St. Leger de Mayne_ (_persuasively, to_ Mrs. NIBBLER). Do let me show you some of this exquisite work, all embroidered entirely by hand, you see! _Mrs. Nibbler_ (_edging away_). Lovely--_quite_ lovely; but I think--a--I'll just take a look round before I---- _Miss de M._ If there is any _particular_ thing you were looking for, perhaps _I_ could---- _Mrs. N._ (_becoming confidential_). Well, I _did_ think if I could come across a nice _sideboard-cloth_---- [Illustration: "You have lofty ambitions and the artistic temperament."] _Miss de M._ (_to herself_). What on earth's a sideboard-cloth? (_Aloud._) Why, I've the very _thing!_ See--all worked in Russian stitch! _Mrs. N._ (_dubiously_). I thought they were always quite plain. And what's that queer sort of flap-thing for? _Miss de M._ Oh, _that?_ That's--a--to cover up the spoons, and forks, and things; quite the latest fashion, _now_, you know. _Mrs. N._ (_with self-assertion_). I _have_ noticed it at several dinner-parties I've been to in society lately, certainly. Still, I'm not sure that---- _Miss de M._ I always have them on my _own_ sideboard now--my husband won't _hear_ of any others.... Then, I _may_ put this one in paper for you? fifteen-and-sixpence--thanks _so_ much! (_To her colleague, as_ Mrs. N. _departs_.) CONNIE, I've got rid of that awful nightgown case at _last!_ _Mrs. Maycup._ A--you _don't_ happen to have a small bag to hold a powder-puff, and so on, you know? _Miss de M._ I _had_ some very pretty ones; but I'm afraid they're all--oh, no, there's just _one_ left--crimson velvet and real _passementerie_. (_She produces a bag._) Too trotty for words, isn't it? _Mrs. Maycup_ (_tacitly admitting its trottiness_). But then--that sort of purse-shape---- Could I get a small pair of folding curling-irons into it, should you think, at a pinch?