“Oh, what nonsense,” said Emily. “The expense is not much; I am sure Tom would not mind it. I’ll speak to him about it,” she continued; for she had been so accustomed to hear her father scold at expense, that she concluded, of course, her sister’s objections must now have reference to her husband, and that consequently if she spoke first to him, she was doing Lucy a great service.
“No, pray don’t put it in his head,” said the young wife eagerly, “for I fear he would be so taken by the idea, he would not stop to count the cost.”
“Well, then,” said Emily, opening her eyes very wide, “why need you?”
“Because, Emily, as we are young people just beginning, I think we ought to—”
“To be patterns,” said Emily. “Well and good, my dear, only don’t begin until after this ball, if you please.”
“I don’t want to set up as a pattern,” said Lucy, “but still I would not wish to do any thing extravagant.”
“There’s no great extravagance in these dresses, I am sure,” replied Emily. “That’s one reason I selected them for you and Tom; and then I thought you would like to go in character together. I really flattered myself I had hit sentiment and economy with one stone beautifully. But you make as long a face about it as if I had proposed King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba to you.”
“What should Titania’s dress be?” inquired Mrs. Coolidge thoughtfully.
“Oh, something very light. Tulle, trimmed with a little silver—nothing is cheaper than that, you know,” answered Emily.
“As it is only for one night,” pursued Lucy, “I would not feel authorized to go to much expense. If it were a dress that could ever be worn again—”