Mrs. B. There’s a guimpe that goes with it, but when I asked Clara for it, she said her mother said the guimpe was too good to give away.
Mrs. J. (examining dress). It isn’t a bad quality gingham and it could easily be boiled out and used for a white dress. Wrap it up and hand it over, (aside). If she is going to hold a farewell service over every last thing that goes in the box, we’ll never get it packed.
Mrs. B. Here’s Emmeline Miller’s red dress! (holding up shabby dress.)
Mrs. J. (surprised). O that dress! I don’t see how she ever brought herself to part with it for she has worn it years and years!
Mrs. B. The material isn’t so bad and it can be scoured, and scrubbed and pressed and mended and it will look quite respectable. (Wraps dress and hands to Mrs. J.) I’m going to give this suit of Albert’s. Albert simply insists that he will not wear it another day, and so I thought it would do very well for the missionary’s son. (Holds up patched and worn suit.)
Mrs. J. Well, I’m sure the missionary’s son will be very thankful to get it. (Places suit in box.)
Mrs. B. I’m going to give these ties too. (holds up gaudy ties). Two or three of them are new but Albert is so fussy he won’t wear them. I’m afraid I’ve brought him up to be too particular.
Mrs. J. I’m afraid you have, Louisa.
Mrs. B. (indignantly). I don’t know as he is any more fussy than anybody else’s boy. I like to see a boy particular about what he wears. (Folds ties and wraps them.)
Mrs. J. (apologetically). Well, don’t get mad, Louisa. I was just agreeing with you. (aside). Isn’t she a tinder-box when anybody mentions her boy!