Georgiana. [Looking at Coleman's photograph.] Bella, I should say Lieutenant Coleman has splendid, straight, honest hair, shouldn't you?
Bella. I can't say as I've ever really had any
experience of his hair, ma'am.
Georgiana. But do you think him an awfully handsome man, Bella, or am I prejudiced?
Bella. No, indeed, I never seen a handsomer gentleman, not even in the pictures of gentlemen's clothes in tailor store windows. [Puts comb down, and takes brush and brushes again.] But what continues to make me nervous about Mr. Gootch is that he's right there among all those black creatures, whose manners is very free, I'm told, and whose style of dressing is peculiar, the least you say! Mr. Gootch always did favor dark-complexioned people, and if that letter don't come to-morrow—
[Getting excited, she again pulls Georgiana's hair.
Georgiana. Ouch! [Laughing, holds up her hand, and catches her hair to ward off another pull.]
Be careful!
Bella. Excuse me! in my art, there's no use talking, you oughtn't let your mind wander from the subject in hand—does your head feel better?
Georgiana. I don't know, Bella, if it does or not! Your treatment is very heroic.