Ethel. Too startling, love. Do you know, I think you made a mistake in getting that white set.
Maud. Why?
Ethel. Too striking.
Maud. Do you think so?
Ethel. Yes. Of course it's lovely for the theatre and opera.
Maud. It's awfully becoming.
Ethel (to Newcome). Now, do you really sell as much claret color as you do green or brown this season?
Newcome. Oh yes, madam; if anything, more. You see claret is one of the standards, becoming alike to young and old. Why, a child might wear this shade. Claret will always hold its own; there is a change in the blues and the greens and the browns, but the claret is always elegant, and very stylish.
Maud. I think so too.
Ethel (meditatively). I do wonder if she would like claret better than brown.