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 wa