Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-01-29
A Feminine Resolve,
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Characters Mrs. Walter Lee and Mrs.
George Rivers. Time: Midmorning.
MRS. LEE Qoudly, above the clank
IVl of the hanson which is taking
them westwards) Its really fright
fully nice of you, dear, to give up your
morning to my oncerns in this way.
Mrs. Rivers-What nonsense, when
you know that there's nothing l love
better than choosing other peoples
clothes regardless of other peoples eX-
pense.
Mrs. Leo, but it mustn't be re-
gardless of expense in my case-for
heavens sake! How should l face
Walter if 1 shopped on those principles?
Mrs. Rivers-My dear, the Walters re-
cover from these little shocks, l find.
And a cheap hat is a social disgrace
which no man could wish to bring upon
his wife. But if you're rally wanting
to be good
Mrs. Lee-I am, really. The hat I've
got on was four guineas, and it's been
weighing on my conscience like lead
ever since / got tin a moment of
abandonment.
Mrs. Rivers-It certainly doesn't
weigh on your head, Perfect dream of
a hat, my dear, and worth anything.
Mrs. Leo, please don't condone it.
Scold me for it. I'm not going beyond
two guineas on any account this time,
and should prefer something at one
guinea, if possible. I'm not a million
airess like you, remember. And it
really is naughty to spend great sums
on personal decoration when the East
end
Mrs. Rivers (laughing)-All right.
dear. I'll suppress you to the best of
my abilities. Only don't blame me if
you're a failure for the rest of the sea-
son. Here we are Gas hanson pulls up
at a hat palace in Regent street,. Now,
this is half my cab (feels determinedly
for purse),
Mrs. Lee-Nonsense! It's entirely
my cab, and no one else's. You-shall
-not-(feels convulsively for her
purse).
Mrs. Rivers-I go shares or go home
you may choGse, dear.
(They wraEsie amiably on the pave
ment, and end in mutual vows of postal
orders.)9
Mrs. Lee (the first symptoms OF the
hat fever dawning in her eye)-Now,
then, we may as well look in at Che win
dow sirst. How do you like that toque
with the hyacinths and red violets?
AIRS. Rivers-Too old for you by ten
years, ma mie. That Gainsborough
with the early Victorian crown is more
dams votre type.
Mrs. Leo! but the one with the
Strawberries, Edith. That's my hat!
Mrs. Rivers (solemnly)-Mary, it's
divine! You were made for it! Don't
hesitate.
Mrs. Lee tthe symptoms visibly ag-
gravated)-Ccald 1 hesitate? It's my
hat-unless-unless, of course, it's too
expensive. Come along!
(They go in. A Superior Young Per-
son of superb figure and querying eye
brow sweeps up to know their pleas
ure.)
Mrs. Lee (airily, determined to show
no awe in the presence of friend)-o!
just wanted to see that hat with the
Strawberries, in the window, please.
Superior Young Person-Certainly
nad9m pronounce "Maram"O. This
way, If SH" please
Mrs. Lee I'm whisper)-You will
help me out of this if it's more than
two, won't you?
Mrs. Rivers-'Course. Well look
round before deciding, in any case.
Superior Young Person waves them
on to red velvet seats and disappears.
They look round with excessive out
ward calm.)
Mrs. Lee - There are charming
things, but nothing to touch mine.
" Mrs. Rivers-oh, yours already
That's quickly settled. Then we
needn't
Mrs. Lee-Oh, don't you tease! ]
know it'll be too dear. Here it comes
(Fumbles with hat pins and veil.)
Superior Young Person-Allow me
madam.
Mrs. Lee Feeling bitter reproach in
her manners and general station in
life)-Thanks.
Superior Young Person (placing hat
at correct angle of fashionable discom,
fort and handing mirror with dignity
II think you will like that, madam
Suits you perfectly. One of our --latest
model hats.
@ AIRS. Lee (liplomatically casual)-