Yes, I own I’m rather pleased with it. MRS. CLOUSTON _(acidly)_ You seem to be able to dress very well altogether, in spite of the shop. JANET _(correcting her)_ Because of it, Aunt Harriet. That’s the advantage of being what is called “in trade.” If I were a school teacher or a governess or something genteel of that kind I could only afford to dress like a pauper. But as I keep a shop I can dress like a lady. Clothes are a question of money, after all, aren’t they? MRS. CLOUSTON _(contemptuously)_ If one is in a shop it doesn’t matter how one dresses. JANET On the contrary if one is in a shop it matters a great deal. A girl in a shop _must_ dress well. The business demands it. If you ever start a hat-shop, Aunt Harriet, you’ll have to dress very differently. Otherwise nobody will buy your hats. MRS. CLOUSTON Indeed? Fortunately I’ve no intention of starting a shop of any kind. JANET _(blandly)_ No! Well, I expect you’re wise. I doubt if you’d make a success of it. [_Loud ring heard off._ MRS. CLOUSTON _(rather flustered--gasps)_ HESTER I hope that’s not a visitor. _(Janet stares Then laughs good-humouredly. Aunt Harriet’s nervous desire to keep her out of the way of visitors strikes her as amusing.)_ What are you laughing at, Janet? JANET _(shrugs)_ Nothing, Aunt Harriet. ELLEN _(showing in)_ Miss Deanes. Mr. Brown. [_Miss Deanes is a bulky, red-faced, shortsighted woman of forty-two, very fussy and absurd in manner, who talks very fast. Brown carries a book._ MISS DEANES How do you do, Mrs. Clouston. _Such_ a piece of news! I felt I _must_ tell you. I brought Mr. Brown with me. He was just leaving a book for you, Hester, so I made him come in. [_Shakes hands with Hester._ BROWN Here it is, Miss De Mullin. It’s the one you wanted to borrow. _Blore on the Creeds_. HESTER Thank you. MISS DEANES _(seeing Janet for first time)_ Janet! Is that you? JANET Yes, Miss Deanes. How are you? [_Shakes hands._ MISS DEANES Good gracious, child, when did you come? Why, you’ve not been down to Brendon for years. JANET It is a long time, isn’t it? MISS DEANES And who is this young gentleman? [_Noticing Johnny who is holding Janet’s hand and staring at Miss Deanes._ JANET _(calmly)_ That is my son. Shake hands with Miss Deanes, Johnny. MISS DEANES _(astonished)_ Your son! There now! And I never knew you were even married! JANET _(quite at her ease)_ Didn’t you! MISS DEANES No. MRS. CLOUSTON _(nervously)_ I forgot. I haven’t introduced you. Mr. Brown--Mrs. Seagrave. BROWN _(bows)_ How do you do. MRS. CLOUSTON _(turning to Miss Deanes again)_ And now what is your piece of news, Miss Deanes? MISS DEANES _(volubly)_ Oh yes. I _must_ tell you. You’d never guess. Somebody _else_ is engaged to be married, _(to Janet)_ Who do you think? JANET I’ve no idea. MISS DEANES Bertha Aldenham--to Mr. Bulstead. JANET _(starts)_ Mr. Bulstead?