The Argosy — page 223: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

206 Arabella at the Sales. yourself say you meant to buy your new light dress at the after-season sales.” SopHiA. ** My dear aunt, so I shall. J hope to get one for a good deal less than I should at another time, but ” ( pauses to look at her father). RECTOR (puts his rather heavy foot in tt all unconsciously). * Aye, aye, trust my Sophia. She will get just what she needs, no more and no less.” ARABELLA (colouring up). “ But Z am not to be trusted. Upon my word, I did not expect———” (Rambles on for some time, while father and daughter unite in peacemaking, and signify to one another that they must give way about the sales.) ARABELLA (zestored to good humour). “So you really thought I should be run away with? Well, at my age—but, to be sure, I al- ways was young, and I suppose I always shall be. The staid Sophia must keep me within bounds to-morrow, and we shall only buy the very cheapest things at each place. Where shall we begin? Shall we go first to the North or the South side of the park ? Shall we take the underground, or the omnibus? Sloane Square for Harvey and Nicholls, or the Royal Oak for Whiteley’s. See, Charles, how methodi- cal I can be; I know the best way to each place ; [ ———” Rector (drzly). ‘I have not the slightest doubt, my dear Arabella, of your finding the direct route to every snare; my only fear is, that, once in the trap, once inside ———” ARABELLA. ‘Once inside I am at home everywhere. Even in the labyrinths of Whiteley’s, with the ‘seven shops through’ and ‘Queen’s Road department’ being dinned into my ears on every side, I am never at a loss —-—”’ SOPHIA (aszde). ‘Papa, it is of no use, she cannot understand. Just let herieo-” REcTOR (shrugs his shoulders). “Let her go? Cart ropes would not keep her back. And she will toil, and strain, and struggle to the front of every counter, pant up every staircase, squeeze through every doorway 2 SOPHIA (smzling). ‘‘ And examine the reduction of every ticketed article within her reach. But she has set her heart on going, so please order the chaise for an early train, that we may have the whole day for this weary pilgrimage. I will do my best to get through it without too much loss of money, time and temper.” RECTOR (alone). ‘‘ My daughter’s sweetness almost reconciles me to my sister’s simplicity, and her wisdom compensates for Arabella’s folly.” CORNICLMOOOKS () (C(O)