“Well, Lilian, what have you done about the party?” I inquired, rather anxious to change the topic, lest she should desire to know more of my financial affairs.
“I have seen Smith, and made all the arrangements for next Friday evening. As it is to be a house-warming, we must not put it off too long. But, dear me, when I came home, and found this awful man here, I was so alarmed that I was on the point of countermanding the order I had given.”
“It’s all right now. But you must hurry up your invitations.”
“There is time enough for them. We will prepare the list this evening. But, Paley, what shall we do for a piano? It will be very awkward to be without a piano on such an occasion. Besides, people will think we are nobody if we don’t have one.”
“That’s very true, Lilian,” I replied, somewhat startled by the proposition. “But I’m afraid we can hardly afford to buy one just yet. Such a one as I want would cost five hundred dollars.”
“A cheaper one will do.”
“But it is bad economy to buy a cheap one. In the course of six months or a year I shall be able to buy a good one.”
“We must have one for this party.”
“I will see what can be done before Friday.”