"Did papa ever wear such things?" said Daisy.
"Portia will be easy," said Preston, looking round the room.
"Who is to be Portia?"
"Theresa Stanfield, I believe."
"That will do very well, I should think. She is fair suppose we dress her in this purple brocade."
"Was Portia married in purple?" said Preston.
Mrs. Sandford laughed a good deal. "Well" she said "white if you like; but Theresa will look most like Portia if she wears this brocade. I do not believe white is de rigueur in her case. You know, she went from the casket scene to the altar. If she was like me, she did not venture to anticipate good fortune by putting on a bridal dress till she knew she would want it."
"Perhaps that is correct," said Preston.
"How come you to know so much about the dresses?" said the lady. "That is commonly supposed to be woman's function."
"I am general manager, Mrs. Sandford, and obliged to act out of character."