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. 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."_