"Were you at their dinner-party two nights ago?"
"What dinner-party?"
"The day before yesterday, after the contract. They gave a dinner at their house. About sixty people. Only their smart friends and their Court set. We were not asked. Mamma went. But none of the brothers and sisters."
"I did not even know there was a dinner. We called in the afternoon to congratulate the bride and bridegroom."
"Well, that evening they gave their grand affair. To-night is only a small party for us and the rag-tag of their acquaintance. The other night, Bertha wore a low-necked dress and a train. To-night, she has a high frock."
Uncle laughed:
"Yes," he said, "these parties at hotels are always scratch affairs. The dinner was only so-so."
"Regular hotel-food."
"H'm. The champagne was good," said Uncle, who had drunk his fill.
"How badly Van Naghel spoke! Does he speak as badly as that when he introduces his Indian budget? And what a figure Van Raven's mother cuts! She looks like I don't know what!"