CLARA. They told us in Paris, bones were coming in! [_She takes a large American beauty rose from a vase on the piano and slips it down_ MARIE'S _back so that the dress seems much less decollete._] There, never too late to mend! MISS GODESBY. How much is this one? [MISS GODESBY _and_ MISS SILLERTON _examine the dress._ CLARA. [_Whispers to_ MRS. HUNTER.] You paid two hundred for it! MRS. HUNTER. Three hundred dollars. It is really superb. MISS SILLERTON. [_Pulling_ MISS GODESBY _around quickly._] My dear, your hat pin is coming out! MISS GODESBY. Don't be absurd! MISS SILLERTON. What? MISS GODESBY. It's my turn, sit down; you got the last! You won't mind my being frank, Mrs. Hunter? MRS. HUNTER. [_On the defensive._] Certainly not. MISS GODESBY. I think the price is too much. TROTTER. Oh, go on, pay it! MISS GODESBY. Will you sign the check? TROTTER. _Excuse me!_ CLARA. I'd give twice that if only I could wear it to one ball this winter! MRS. HUNTER. I wouldn't part with it for a penny less. I couldn't afford to. [_The manners and voices of all become a little strained._ MISS GODESBY. That is of course your affair. MRS. HUNTER. [_Politely._] We needn't keep Marie any longer, at any rate, need we? You can go, Marie, and you too, Tompson. [CLARA _and_ MRS. HUNTER _help place the other dresses on_ TOMPSON'S _arms._ MISS SILLERTON. [_To_ MISS GODESBY, _on the opposite side of the room, in a lowered voice._] I'll take it; I'm willing to pay that. MISS GODESBY. Don't you dare interfere! I want the gown, but I know she'll come down,--if she doesn't, I'll make a bluff at going. Then if she sticks to her price, I'll come back and pay it. [_They turn to_ MRS. HUNTER. MISS SILLERTON. Oh, Mrs. Hunter, may I see my dress just one more minute? MRS. HUNTER. Certainly. [_She and_ CLARA _come back with the dress._ MARIE. [_To_ TOMPSON _by the door at Right._] _Vite!_ Come! Come! Jordan 'ave stole ze photograph machine of Mees Clara, and he make now one pigsher of me in ze dress! [_Smiling mischievously, delighted, she goes out Right._ MISS SILLERTON. Thank you. [_She leaves her dress._ MRS. HUNTER. Take this too, Tompson. TOMPSON. Yes, madam. [MRS. HUNTER _speaks to_ TOMPSON, _aside, and_ CLARA, _near them, watches the two visitors out of the corner of her eye._ MISS GODESBY. [_Aside to_ MISS SILLERTON.] I'll leave my muff; that'll be a good excuse to come back. TROTTER. [_Also in a lowered voice to_ MISS GODESBY.] Dodo! [TOMPSON _goes out Right._ [MRS. HUNTER _and_ CLARA _come back._ MISS GODESBY. You really couldn't take less than three hundred? MRS. HUNTER. I wish I could if only for your own sake; but I really couldn't in justice to myself. MISS GODESBY. I'm very sorry--and I'm afraid we must be going now. MRS. HUNTER. [_Not believing they will go._] Oh, must you? Well, it was very kind of you to come. [MISS GODESBY _leaves her muff upon the table at the Left._