“Which would you rather have, Mary Ellen, a white muslin frock, or a grey tweed, one that would be useful to you afterwards? Don’t be in a hurry to decide. Think it well over.”
Mary Ellen seemed very well inclined to take this advice. She stood quite silent with one of her fingers pressed against the corner of her mouth. She was thinking deeply.
“I can’t bear to have everything I settled upset by that woman,” said Mrs. Gregg. “I wish you’d never made me ask her to help. I wish I’d never——”
“We had to keep her in a good temper,” said Dr. O’Grady.
“You’ll not be able to do that,” said the Major, “nobody could.”
“It’s nothing but spite makes her do it,” said Mrs. Gregg. “It’s just because I’m presenting a bouquet and she’s not.”
“Hang it all!” said Dr. O’Grady. “It can’t be that. I told her distinctly that she’d be allowed to hand over the illuminated address. What more can she want?”
“It’s all spite and jealousy,” said Mrs. Gregg, “and Mary Ellen will look perfectly hideous.”
“Mary Ellen,” said Dr. O’Grady, “have you made up your mind yet which of those two dresses you’d like?”
“I have,” said Mary Ellen.