The Climbers Part 11

MRS. HUNTER. But--I suppose clothes don't interest you, Mr. Trotter?

TROTTER. Oh, yes, they do, out of sight!

CLARA. Well, I wish you could have seen the beautiful things we brought over with us!

MISS SILLERTON. Julia and I were just speaking about it, and pitying you from the bottom of our hearts.

[MISS SILLERTON _and_ MISS G.o.dESBY _again exchange surrept.i.tious glances._

MRS. HUNTER. Every one's been most kind.

[_There is an awkward pause for a moment, no one knowing quite what to say. Both_ MISS G.o.dESBY _and_ MISS SILLERTON _have started the conversation in the direction of clothing and are fearful of the topic being changed. As the pause becomes embarra.s.sing, they look helplessly from one to the other, and all five, suddenly and at once, make an ineffectual effort to say something--or nothing. Out of the general confusion_ MRS. HUNTER _comes to the front, mistress of the situation._]

Are you going to stay in New York this winter, Mr. Trotter?

TROTTER. Yes, I'm negotiating for one of the biggest cla.s.sy building plots on upper Fifth Avenue.

CLARA. [_To_ MISS G.o.dESBY.] I saw in the papers you were at the dance last night.

[MISS G.o.dESBY _nods and motions surrept.i.tiously to_ TROTTER _to go. He, however, doesn't understand._

MRS. HUNTER. [_With interest again in life._] Oh, _were you?_ What did you wear?

MISS G.o.dESBY. Oh, dowdy old things. I haven't bought my winter frocks yet.

[_She repeats this casually as if to herself._

[MISS SILLERTON _motions to_ TROTTER _to go, but he has forgotten and still doesn't understand._

TROTTER. What?

MISS G.o.dESBY. You warned us not to let you forget your engagement!

TROTTER. What engagement?

MISS SILLERTON. How do we know! we only know you said you _had_ to go!

TROTTER. Never said so! Oh! [_As it dawns upon him._] Oh, yes! of course. [_He rises._] Very sorry--must be off. Only dropped in--er--that is, came in to express my respectful sympathy.

[_Shaking hands with_ MRS. HUNTER.

MRS. HUNTER. [_Who rises._] I hope you will come and see us again.

CLARA. Do! It'll be a G.o.dsend! We'll be dull as ditchwater here this winter!

TROTTER. I shall be delighted to call again. Good-by. [_He bows to Clara. In his embarra.s.sment he starts to shake hands all over again, but, realizing his mistake, laughs nervously._] Oh, I have already.

MISS SILLERTON. Good-by, Trotter.

MISS G.o.dESBY. Don't forget we're booked with you at Sherry's.

TROTTER. Whose treat?

MISS G.o.dESBY. Oh! _Yours_, of course--

TROTTER. I say, why can't I stay? I won't interfere.

MRS. HUNTER. Oh, do stay, Mr. Trotter!

MISS G.o.dESBY. Oh, do stay!

[_Suggesting by her tone that he mustn't dare to remain._

CLARA. Good!

[TROTTER _remains, and they all settle themselves again for a long stay._

MRS. HUNTER. By the way, you were speaking just now of your winter frocks. It occurs to me--of course I don't know as I really want to dispose of them, but--er--

[_She hesitates purposely._

MISS G.o.dESBY. Oh, _would_ you? [_Rising, she takes a chair nearer to_ MRS. HUNTER.] You _dear_ thing!

MRS. HUNTER. The dresses are no use to us now, and when _we're_ out of mourning--_they'll_ be out of style. You could wear Jess' things perfectly, Julia.

MISS SILLERTON. And even something of yours could be made over for us.

MRS. HUNTER. But I'm so much older than you!

MISS SILLERTON. [_Thoughtlessly._] Yes, but you never dress appropriately to your age.

CLARA. [_Laughing delightedly._] That's pretty good!

MISS SILLERTON. [_Saves herself._] You know what I mean, you always _look_ so _youthful_, you _can't_ dress any older.

MRS. HUNTER. [_Rising._] Clara, dear, go upstairs and have Tompson bring down my Worth dress and Jess' Doucet and your Paquin. [_She goes with_ CLARA _to the door, Right, and then whispers to her._] If you remember, don't tell what we paid--we ought to get nearly double out of these girls--and warn Tompson not to be surprised at anything she hears.

[MISS G.o.dESBY _and_ MISS SILLERTON _exchange glances._ CLARA _goes out Right._

MRS. HUNTER. It seems as if I had no further interest in clothes, anyway.

MISS G.o.dESBY. Don't say that. Every one I've seen this afternoon is wildly enthusiastic over your mourning.

MRS. HUNTER. Well, I went straight to Madame O'Hoolihan and gave her carte blank!

MISS G.o.dESBY. I wouldn't like to be the ice man when your bill comes in!--and clothes abroad are so much cheaper.

MRS. HUNTER. [_Thoughtlessly._] Oh, _half!_