rts got snowed under.
Have some tea, Roberts?" He offers to pour out a cup.
Mrs. Somers, dispossessing him of the teapot with dignity: "Thank you,
Mr. Campbell; _I_ will pour out the tea."
Campbell: "Oh, very well. I thought the handle was hot."
Mrs. Somers: "It's cooler now."
Campbell: "And you won't let me help you?"
Mrs. Somers: "When there are more people you may hand the tea."
Campbell: "I wish I knew just how much that meant."
Mrs. Somers: "Very little. As little as an adoptive Californian in his
most earnest mood." While they talk--Campbell bending over the teapot,
on which Mrs. Somers keeps her hand--the others form a little group
apart.
Bemis, to Mrs. Roberts: "I hope Mr. Roberts's distinguished friend won't
give us the slip on account of the storm."
Roberts: "Oh no; he'll be sure to come. He may be late. But he's the
most amiable of Englishmen, and I know he won't disappoint Mrs. Somers."
Bemis: "The most unamiable of Englishmen couldn't do that."
Roberts: "Ah, I don't know. Did you meet Mr. Pogis?"
Bemis: "No; what did he do?"
Roberts: "Why, he came--to the Hibbens's dinner--in a sack coat."
Mrs. Roberts: "I thought it was a Cardigan jacket."
Bemis: "_I_ heard a Norfolk jacket and knickerbockers."
Mrs. Somers: "Ah, there is Mrs. Curwen!" To Campbell, aside: "And
without her husband!"
Campbell: "Or any one else's husband."
Mrs. Somers: "For shame!"
Campbell: "You began it."
Mrs. Somers, to Mrs. Curwen; who approaches her sofa: "You are kindness
itself, Mrs. Curwen, to come on such a day." The ladies press each
other's hands.
IV
_MRS. CURWEN and the OTHERS_
Mrs. Curwen: "You are goodness in person, Mrs. Somers, to say so."
Campbell: "And I am magnanimity embodied. Let me introduce myself, Mrs.
Curwen!" He bows, and Mrs. Curwen deeply courtesies.
Mrs. Curwen: "I should never have known you."
Campbell, melodramatically, to Mrs. Somers: "Tea, ho! for Mrs.
Curwen--impenetrably disguised as kindness."
Mrs. Curwen: "What shall I say to him?"
Mrs. Somers, pouring the tea: "Anything you like, Mrs. Curwen. Aren't we
to see Mr. Curwen to-day?"
Mrs. Curwen, taking her tea: "No, I'm his insufficient apology. He's
detained at his office--business."
Campbell: "Then you see they don't _all_ come, Mrs. Somers."
Mrs. Curwen: "All what?"
Campbell: "Oh, all the--heroes."
Mrs. Curwen: "Is that what he was going to say, Mrs. Somers?"
Mrs. Somers:
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