"It was really too lovely," Mrs. Penworthy assured the Duke at luncheon. "Mr. Kaimes spoke just the things I feel. And the decorations--oh, really--so very tasteful. But the mistletoe, Duke. I don't think there should have been mistletoe round the pulpit."
"Such an immoral plant," chimed in Lady Canvey, with sharp, twinkling eyes; "and so useless to some people, who can dispense with it as an excuse. I daresay the Druids were no better than they should have been."
"They were before my time," said Mrs. Penworthy, very prettily; "and you must have been quite a child then, dear Lady Canvey."
The sermon affected Lady Frith in another fashion.
"Oh, dear Bunny," she said to her saturnine husband, "what a lovely way Lionel puts things! Do let us help people. There's Leah, you know----"
"Exactly," assented Frith, dryly. "I do know, and for that reason I don't intend to waste money in that direction."
"But Lionel talked of aiding the poor and needy."
"That doesn't include the extravagant and ungrateful," retorted her lord. "You are an unsophisticated child, Hilda."
"Oh, Bunny, how could you call poor Leah and her husband names? We must love every one at this season."
"Oh, I'll love them as much as you please; but not to the extent of supporting them."