Her Own Way Part 35

Coleman wasn't a floor walker in a shop with over a hundred lady clerks--I think that's apt to make a gentleman flightier; and he being _bald_, has me to a disadvantage, so to speak. I can't judge by my customary signs.

GEORGIANA. [_Looking at_ COLEMAN'S _photograph._] Bella, I should say Lieutenant Coleman has splendid, straight, honest hair, shouldn't you?

BELLA. I can't say as I've ever really had any experience of his hair, ma'am.

GEORGIANA. But do you think him an awfully handsome man, Bella, or am I prejudiced?

BELLA. No, indeed, I never seen a handsomer gentleman, not even in the pictures of gentlemen's clothes in tailor store windows. [_Puts comb down, and takes brush and brushes again._] But what continues to make me nervous about Mr. Gootch is that he's right there among all those black creatures, whose manners is very free, I'm told, and whose style of dressing is peculiar, the least you say! Mr. Gootch always did favor dark-complexioned people, and if that letter don't come to-morrow--

[_Getting excited, she again pulls_ GEORGIANA'S _hair._

GEORGIANA. Ouch! [_Laughing, holds up her hand, and catches her hair to ward off another pull._] Be careful!

BELLA. Excuse me! in my art, there's no use talking, you oughtn't let your mind wander from the subject in hand--does your head feel better?

GEORGIANA. I don't know, Bella, if it does or not! Your treatment is very heroic.

BELLA. [_Spraying her hair._] You don't feel worried about something happening to them way out there, do you, Miss Georgiana?

GEORGIANA. I daren't think of it. Oh, Bella, I've had lots of trouble to-day, and I've a serious time ahead of me--but all the same I am such a happy woman. [_Turning to look at_ BELLA, _she disarranges her hair, much to_ BELLA'S _disapproval._] Do you love Mr. Gootch tremendously, Bella?

BELLA. Why, love isn't the word! my feeling for Mr. Gootch is a positive worship. When I get to thinking of him in the underground I always go by my station, sometimes two.

GEORGIANA. Be grateful for your love, Bella; it's a wonderful thing.

BELLA. [_Finishing the dressing of the hair._] You know I've just done Mrs. Wishings, she puts too much on!

GEORGIANA. Does she rouge?

BELLA. No, hair. I don't mind a switch or two for foundation, and a couple of puffs for ornament, with a tight curl or two for style,--especially if you've got one of those new undilated fronts, but I think that's all you can expect to have any hair dresser make look as if it growed there. There! How's that?

[_Puts hairpin in_ GEORGIANA'S _hair._

GEORGIANA. [_Holding up_ d.i.c.k'S _photograph._] How's that, d.i.c.k--is it all right?

BELLA. [_Delighted._] Ain't that a cute idea?

GEORGIANA. We both trust you, Bella, to make me all right.

BELLA. What ornaments?

[_Taking off the ap.r.o.n, she walks around to Right of the table._

GEORGIANA. Would you wear any?

BELLA. Oh, yes, for such an occasion! Of course, for maidens only feathers is correct; for wives and widows, tiaras and feathers.

[_Putting away her things._ MRS. CARLEY _enters in a flurry of excitement, superbly dressed, and too youthfully._

MRS. CARLEY. Here I am; I've hurried so I don't feel half dressed.

GEORGIANA. [_Smiling._] That's almost the way you _look_, mother.

MRS. CARLEY. Well, I always did have shoulders, and I don't intend to hide them under a bushel; but what do you think of the dress, is it a success?

GEORGIANA. From your point of view--perfect!

MRS. CARLEY. Yes, but what's the difference about your point of view about it and mine?

GEORGIANA. Well, I should think about thirty years, darling!

MRS. CARLEY. Oh, Georgiana, you really are unkind. When I don't know how on earth it's ever going to be paid for now, I think you might be serious, and let me feel anyway it's a success.

GEORGIANA. Mother dear, it's a triumph. Really, I never saw you look better!

MRS. CARLEY. Really! and how is my hair?

GEORGIANA. Redder!

BELLA. Oh, Miss Georgiana, it isn't too red a bit.

GEORGIANA. It's very fine, Bella, but I think I'd take off a little. You don't want Mrs. Carley to rival Mrs. Wishings and look as if she'd cornered the hair market.

BELLA. She's just teasing you.

[GEORGIANA _has risen._

MRS. CARLEY. You are lovely, Georgiana.

GEORGIANA. That's because my thoughts are lovely.

MRS. CARLEY. I'm awfully proud of you, dear, and wish you were my own daughter.

GEORGIANA. Thank you, mother.

MRS. CARLEY. The Grand Duke will surely notice you. Aren't you going to put something in your hair?

BELLA. [_Handing it to_ GEORGIANA.] A rose with gla.s.s dewdrops.

[_Newsboy's voice heard in the street--calling, "Extra--Extra--Terrible"--the rest is indistinct._

GEORGIANA. What's that?

MRS. CARLEY. A newsboy with an extra.

[_Man's voice outside, "Extra--Extra--Terrible"--the rest is still indistinct._ LOUISE _enters, beautifully dressed._

BELLA. Oh!