The Argosy — page 224: what you’re looking at

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

Arabella at the Sales. 207 SCENE II. Lonion, Miss FatrLop and her niece, plainly attired in washing dresses, black-beaded mantillas, and serviceable bonnets, emerge Jrom an East End omnibus, holding large bags in their hands. SOPHIA (Presently). “Is there really need for our going to any more now? We have been to so many, and seen the same things everywhere. Everywhere the same piles of parasols and umbrellas, the same cascades of fur trimmings and boas, the same vast plateaux of artificial flowers, rainbows of ribbons, waggon loads of green wicker work, and hecatombs of fans, sachets, handkerchiefs, shawls and cloaks. You have already bought more——(chokes down the word ““zrumpery”) than you know what to do with, and —-—” Miss F. (complacently). ‘‘ Very true; we have done a great deal. We have had a most successful expedition. Such bargains. But it would be a pity not to go to all. I am laying in a perfect stock of winter usefuls, and though you tried to dissuade me from taking the whole of that strip of window blind, it is the very thing my cousin Maria is sure to want directly she sees it, and she will take any I have over. As for the Swiss embroidery, it always comes in; and though I have no immediate need of gloves, it would have been foolish to let those very cheap ones go. Gloves will a/ways come in. ‘Those pretty neckties, only fourpence three-farthings each, I shall give the maids. They will never guess how little they cost.” SopH1aA. “Why not? ‘They have only to come to the sales like ourselves.” Miss F. “To be sure, that is true. Well, the ties must find other recipients then; I could not passthem over. Those carriage blankets were really marvellous, Sophia ; I must speak to your papa first, but I hope he will send for one at once.” SOPHIA. ‘‘ What in the world should we do with a smart em- broidered carriage blanket on our poor old chaise ?” Miss F. “ They were going such bargains. But, however —— (Enters a doorway, turning her head from side to side, and proceeding to envestigate articles of every description as she slowly moves forward.) ‘““Now, Sophia, for your summer dress. Sophia, Sophia, wait one moment: you go on so fast; do look at these evening wraps—I call them extremely pretty ; and this dark red ———” SOPHIA (gently ureing her aunt forward). “Very pretty. The costume department is upstairs.” Miss F. (coming to a standstill). *‘ Thave a great mind to have some of that fringe. Fringe is usually such a price, and my mantle " SOPHIA (persuasively). “Yes, but you can think how much of it would be required while we are upstairs.” Miss F. “Tobe sure, yes. Whata pretty work-bag. My work-bag is quite worn out.” SOPHIA (Hastily). ‘Those are nice table-covers half-way up the stairs,” ) COMIC OOO KS (CO) im