Mrs. De S. Matilda, do not encourage the child! Of course she must graduate. Everybody does.
Miss H. (sarcastically). If everybody stood on their heads, I suppose we'd have to!
Mrs. De S. You cannot judge in such matters, Matilda. You are very old-fashioned.
Miss H. (upsetting contents of work basket in lap). Maybe so, maybe so, but I am alive, and that child'll be dead if–
Mrs. De S. (holds her head). Matilda, for heaven's sake, stop!
Maude I'll telephone Valeria. May be she–
Mrs. De S. (with decision). Maude, sit down! You will do nothing of the sort. Mrs. Reynolds is such a talker! The whole town would know it in ten minutes. Besides, at the Tuesday Club she cut me–actually cut me! I will not permit it.
Maude I don't think that ought to count, now. I suppose I have to have something to wear.
Madam What do you say to a Paris muslin?
Maude (listlessly). What is a Paris muslin?