Mrs. Emptage.

I considered half-mourning rather a happy thought.

Mrs. Quinton Twelves.

To my mind, it looks as if you had deliberately prepared for all emergencies.

Mrs. Emptage.

[Rising, in a flutter.] ’Tina, pin some flowers in your dress at once! I’ll get Bristow to stick a bit of relief about me somewhere. And I’ll wear some more rings——

[She goes out. Justina selects some cut flowers from a vase on the pianoforte.

Justina.

Oh, Kit, we were dreadfully in the dumps. Bless you for bullying us!

Mrs. Quinton Twelves.