you were at the dance
last night.

[MISS GODESBY _nods and motions surreptitiously to_ TROTTER _to go. He,
however, doesn't understand._

MRS. HUNTER. [_With interest again in life._] Oh, _were you?_ What did
you wear?

MISS GODESBY. Oh, dowdy old things. I haven't bought my winter frocks
yet.

[_She repeats this casually as if to herself._

[MISS SILLERTON _motions to_ TROTTER _to go, but he has forgotten and
still doesn't understand._

TROTTER. What?

MISS GODESBY. You warned us not to let you forget your engagement!

TROTTER. What engagement?

MISS SILLERTON. How do we know! we only know you said you _had_ to go!

TROTTER. Never said so! Oh! [_As it dawns upon him._] Oh, yes! of
course. [_He rises._] Very sorry--must be off. Only dropped in--er--that
is, came in to express my respectful sympathy.

[_Shaking hands with_ MRS. HUNTER.

MRS. HUNTER. [_Who rises._] I hope you will come and see us again.

CLARA. Do! It'll be a godsend! We'll be dull as ditchwater here this
winter!

TROTTER. I shall be delighted to call again. Good-by. [_He bows to
Clara. In his embarrassment he starts to shake hands all over again,
but, realizing his mistake, laughs nervously._] Oh, I have already.

MISS SILLERTON. Good-by, Trotter.

MISS GODESBY. Don't forget we're booked with you at Sherry's.

TROTTER. Whose treat?

MISS GODESBY. Oh! _Yours_, of course--

TROTTER. I say, why can't I stay? I won't interfere.

MRS. HUNTER. Oh, do stay, Mr. Trotter!

MISS GODESBY. Oh, do stay!

[_Suggesting by her tone that he mustn't dare to remain._

CLARA. Good!

[TROTTER _remains, and they all settle themselves again for a long
stay._

MRS. HUNTER. By the way, you were speaking just now of your winter
frocks. It occurs to me--of course I don't know as I really want to
dispose of them, but--er--

[_She hesitates purposely._

MISS GODESBY. Oh, _would_ you? [_Rising, she takes a chair nearer to_
MRS. HUNTER.] You _dear_ thing!

MRS. HUNTER. The dresses are no use to us now, and when _we're_ out of
mourning--_they'll_ be out of style. You could wear Jess' things
perfectly, Julia.

MISS SILLERTON. And even something of yours could be made over for us.

MRS. HUNTER. But I'm so much older than you!

MISS SILLERTON. [_Thoughtlessly._] Yes, but you never dress
appropriately to your age.

CLARA. [_Laughing delightedly._] That's pretty good!

MISS SILLERTON. [_Saves herself._] You know what I mean, you always
_look_