“Brussels lace, and of the best quality; not too much, and yet enough. It cost a small fortune.”
“Oh, here are the dear little shoes to match, and this petticoat with heaps of lace and embroidery! Well, when I wear this dress Audrey will have to respect me.”
“That is why I bought it, miss. I thought you should have the best.”
“Oh, you are a darling! What would not mothery say if she could look at me to-night!”
“Well, Miss Evelyn, I hope I do my duty. But you and Miss Sylvia have been very late out, so you must hurry, miss, if I am to do you justice.”
“But, oh, I say!” cried Evelyn, looking for the first time at her friend. “What is Sylvia to wear?”
“I don’t know, miss. None of your dresses will fit her; she is so much taller.”
“I will not go down-stairs a fright,” said Sylvia. “Audrey asked me, and she must lend me something. Please, Jasper, do go to Miss Wynford’s room and ask her if she has a white dress she will lend me to wear to-night. Even a washing muslin will do. Anything that is long enough in the skirt and not too short in the waist. I will take it away and have it washed fresh for her. Do, please, please, ask her, Jasper!”
“I am very sorry, miss,” answered Jasper. “I would do anything in reason to oblige, but to go to a young lady whom I don’t know and to make a request of that sort is more than I can do, miss. Besides, she is occupied now. A whole lot of visitors have just arrived—fine young ladies and tall young gentlemen—and they are all chittering-chattering as though their lungs would burst. They are all in the hall, miss, chatting as hard as they can chat. No, I cannot ask her; I cannot really.”
“Then I must stop up-stairs and lose all, all the fun,” said Sylvia.