The gentlemen went to change their
boots on the back verandah; the ladies to lay off their wraps in Mary's
bedroom. And soon this room was filled to overflowing with the large
soft abundance of crinoline; hoops swaying from this side to that, as
the guests gave place to one another before the looking-glass, where
bands of hair were smoothed and the catches of bracelets snapped.
Music-cases lay strewn over the counterpane; the husbands who lined up in
the passage, to wait for their wives, also bearing rolls of music. Mary,
in black silk with a large cameo brooch at her throat, and only a delicate
pink on her cheeks to tell of all her labours, moved helpfully to and
fro, offering a shoe-horn, a hand-mirror, pins and hairpins. She was
caught, as she passed Mrs. Henry Ocock, a modishly late arrival, by that
lady's plump white hand, and a whispered request to be allowed to retain
her mantle. "Henry was really against my coming, dearest. So
anxious . . . so absurdly anxious!"
"And pray where's the Honourable Mrs. T. to-night?" inquired "old Mrs.
Ocock," rustling up to them: Tilly was the biggest and most handsomely
dressed woman in the room. "On her knees worshipping, I bet you, up to
the last minute! Or else not allowed to show her nose till the
Honourable John's got his studs in.--Now then, girls, how much longer
are you going to stand preening and prinking?"
The "girls" were Zara, at this present a trifle PASSEE, and Miss Amelia,
who was still further from her prime; and gathering the two into her
train, as a hen does its chickens, Tilly swept them off to face the
ordeal of the gentlemen and the drawing-room.
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