y_). And now I am to be left alone.

PHOEBE. No.

MISS SUSAN. My dear, I could not leave this room. My lovely blue and
white room. It is my husband.

PHOEBE (_who has become agitated_). Susan, you must make my house your
home. I have something distressing to tell you.

MISS SUSAN. You alarm me.

PHOEBE. You know Mr. Brown advised us how to invest half of our money.

MISS SUSAN. I know it gives us eight per cent., though why it should
do so I cannot understand, but very obliging, I am sure.

PHOEBE. Susan, all that money is lost; I had the letter several days
ago.

MISS SUSAN. Lost?

PHOEBE. Something burst, dear, and then they absconded.

MISS SUSAN. But Mr. Brown--

PHOEBE. I have not advertised him of it yet, for he will think it was
his fault. But I shall tell him to-day.

MISS SUSAN. Phoebe, how much have we left?

PHOEBE. Only sixty pounds a year, so you see you must live with us,
dearest.

MISS SUSAN. But Mr. Brown--he----

PHOEBE (_grandly_). He is a man of means, and if he is not proud to
have my Susan I shall say at once: 'Mr. Brown--the door.'

(_She presses her cheek to_ MISS SUSAN'S.)

MISS SUSAN (_softly_). Phoebe, I have a wedding gift for you.

PHOEBE. Not yet?

MISS SUSAN. It has been ready for a long time. I began it when you
were not ten years old and I was a young woman. I meant it for myself,
Phoebe. I had hoped that he--his name was William--but I think I must
have been too unattractive, my love.

PHOEBE. Sweetest--dearest----

MISS SUSAN. I always associate it with a sprigged poplin I was wearing
that summer, with a breadth of coloured silk in it, being a naval
officer; but something happened, a Miss Cicely Pemberton, and they are
quite big boys now. So long ago, Phoebe--he was very tall, with brown
hair--it was most foolish of me, but I was always so fond of
sewing--with long straight legs and such a pleasant expression.

PHOEBE. Susan, what was it?

MISS SUSAN. It was a wedding-gown, my dear. Even plain women, Phoebe,
we can't help it; when we are young we have romantic ideas just as if
we were pretty. And so the wedding-gown was never used. Long before
it was finished I knew he would not offer, but I finished it, and then
I put it away. I have always hidden it from you, Phoebe, but of late I
have brought it out again, and altered it.

(_She goes to ottoman and unlocks it._)

PHOEBE. Susan, I could not wear it. (MISS SUSAN _bri