The Argosy — page 225: what you’re looking at

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

208 : Arabella at the Sales. Miss F. ‘ Where, where ?” Sopuia. “In front.” (Aszde). “‘ Thank heavens, we are here at last. The only place I really wished to come to, and I should thankfully have given it up to have got away.” (Looks at reduced summer dresses.) ‘‘ My dear aunt, do sit down and rest.” Miss F. (sénks wearily tnto a chair). ‘How tired Iam!” (Sud- denly rises, and darts forward to where another customer ts having costumes spread before her.) ‘‘Please allow me to see that one. It is just the sort of gown I requiree How much? Six guineas? Six guineas reduced? Oh!” (Returns to her seat somewhat daunted. After another minutes pause, darts forward again.) ‘* How much did you say those tulle skirts were? Five shillings? /vve shillings! Why, Sophia, Sophia ———” (Refeats the price, meantime turning over in her hand a faded and soiled ball skirt, which has been reduced to the above sum.) SOPHIA (27 a low voice). “My dear aunt, I would not be seen in such a thing.” Miss F. ‘ But, my dear, the price.” SopHiaA. ‘* What does the price matter if I could not wear it? It would simply be five shillings thrown away.” Miss F. ‘ Well, it is not as fresh as—perhaps you are right. Now, what have you chosen? Oh, already? But, my dear, do not be in too great a hurry. Look at this, and this, and this—— ” ( Going from one to another. Meantime, SOPHIA gives her address, and pays for her purchase). ‘Ready so soon? And you have actually bought it? Well, now for downstairs again. I saw some luggage straps on my way up, and the holidays will soon be here.” Sopra. ‘* But we are not going away.” Miss F. “‘ We may go. It is well to be prepared.” Sopuia. “The other door, aunt. It will take us into Oxford Street.” (Succeeds tn gradually beguiling her aunt towards tt, and across the threshold ; but Miss FAIRLOP comes to a dead stop before the window.) Miss F. ‘‘ Those curtains, my dear. Your father’s study. Really it does need new curtains.” Sopuia. ‘* Even if it does, we have no measurements.” Miss F. * True. Well, I must measure when we go home. But that small rug, there 1s no measurement required for it. So pretty, and so cheap. It would really be a pity not to ” (Re-enters the shop, and buys the rug.) Miss F. (2 renewed spirits). ‘ Now for the other side of the Park, though to be sure, I have not much money left. Still, we may as well just have a look.” Soputa (arvchly). ‘ And get your waterproof.” Miss F. ‘* My waterproof? I am afraid I shall have to give that up. It must wait for another year, or I can get it at Christmas. Sales are on again then, you know. After all, in such weather one should not be thinking of waterproofs.” (COUN (A) NOOO KS,(EO)