“Well, I don’t like to think about that part of it,” said Regina.
“Darling,” said Julia, feeling that she had smoothed over her previous indiscretions, “why don’t you have a maid? She would be so useful to both of us. Think of somebody who would be able to make smart blouses, do up frocks and touch up hats and generally make life easy and comfortable. Why don’t you have a maid?”
“It seems such an expense,” said Regina.
“But you can afford it—I shall talk to father.”
“If I did have a maid I should pay her myself; I shouldn’t think of coming on your father for an extravagance of that sort.”
“Well, you have more money than you ever spend. Dearest, you have got into the habit of going without things, and we have got into the habit of regarding you as a person of no vanities, so that we resent it when you show the smallest sign of anything feminine in your nature. Now I come to look at you again,” said Julia, with her head on one side, “I think I do like you better like this. It is more important looking; it seems to make your head more of a size with the rest of you. I like you in black—you know, mother, you never wear black. Do you mind if I try it on?”
“Why of course not.” It was with pride that Regina stood by and saw her daughter poise the beautiful black toque upon her own abundant locks.
“Oh yes, it’s a ravishing hat,” Julia declared. “I think I must go and see your Madame Clementine. You won’t mind?—Ah, there is daddy coming.”
At that moment Alfred’s solid footstep was heard upon the landing. “Hullo, young woman,” he said a moment later as he entered the room, “got a new hat?”