MISS GODESBY. You see, Trotty, they brought over piles of clothes from Europe this year, and we want to get hold of them before any one else has a chance--get 'em cheap before they have an idea anybody else'll buy them. TROTTER. Who buy what? MISS SILLERTON. _We_--buy their winter clothes. TROTTER. For Heaven's sake! MISS GODESBY. Laugh, you silly! I heard the Reed girls planning to come to-morrow. They didn't dare come to-day. Those girls haven't any sand! They're always getting left. TROTTER. You two _are_ Dodo birds! MISS GODESBY. I say, Eleanor, you're such a lobster about prices and Mrs. Hunter's no idiot, we'd better agree on some sort of a signal! Listen! if you like a gown very much, ask the price, then say to me, "My dear, your hat pin is coming out." And if I think it's a bargain, I'll say, "So it is, thank you; won't you put it in for me?" And if I think Mrs. Hunter's trying to stick you, I'll say "No, it isn't; it's always like that." MISS SILLERTON. All right. [MRS. HUNTER _and_ CLARA _enter Right. The manner of_ MISS SILLERTON _and_ MISS GODESBY _changes immediately. They speak with rather subdued voices, in the tone of conventional sympathy which is usually adopted on such occasions._ MRS. HUNTER _also assumes the manner of a martyr to grief._ CLARA _is casual and hard._ MISS SILLERTON. [_Shakes hands with_ MRS. HUNTER.] Dear Mrs. Hunter. [_She kisses her._ Clara, dear. [_She kisses her._ [MISS GODESBY _goes to_ MRS. HUNTER _and shakes hands while_ MISS SILLERTON _crosses to_ CLARA; _Trotter shakes hands with_ MRS. HUNTER _as_ MISS GODESBY _goes to_ CLARA. TROTTER. I hope you don't think my coming an intrusion. MRS. HUNTER. Not at all. MISS GODESBY. I felt we must stop in for a few minutes to give you our love and sympathy and find out how you are. MRS. HUNTER. I've been through a terrible strain. My loss is even greater than I could ever possibly imagine. CLARA. [_Who misinterprets her mother's remark._] Yes, indeed, I should say it was! [MRS. HUNTER _stops her with a warning look._ MRS. HUNTER. But every one has been most kind. _Lady Hopeton_ sent me a beautiful long letter to-day. MISS GODESBY. And I'm glad to find you looking so well. Black _suits_ you! [_She exchanges a knowing glance with_ MISS SILLERTON. MRS. HUNTER. Oh, I don't know, Julia; I've always thought black very _trying_ for me. MISS GODESBY. Oh, _no! every one's_ saying _just_ the reverse! MRS. HUNTER. But--I suppose clothes don't interest you, Mr. Trotter? TROTTER. Oh, yes, they do, out of sight! CLARA. Well, I wish you could have seen the beautiful things we brought over with us! MISS SILLERTON. Julia and I were just speaking about it, and pitying you from the bottom of our hearts. [MISS SILLERTON _and_ MISS GODESBY _again exchange surreptitious glances._ MRS. HUNTER. Every one's been most kind.