Page:Arthur Machen - The Hill of Dreams.djvu/116

THE HILL OF DREAMS from friends as to the necessity of having a room that would do for a nursery. No glad young thing had leant on his arm while they chose the suite in white enamel, and the china for 'our bedroom,' the modest salesman doing his best to spare their blushes. When Edith Gervase married she would get mamma to look out for two really good servants, 'as we must begin quietly,' and mamma would make sure that the drains and everything were right. Then her 'girl friends' would come on a certain solemn day to see all her 'lovely things.' 'Two dozen of everything!' 'Look, Ethel, did you ever see such ducky frills?' 'And that insertion, isn't it quite too sweet?' 'My dear Edith, you are a lucky girl.' 'All the underlinen specially made by Madame Lulu!' 'What delicious things!' 'I hope he knows what a prize he is winning.' 'Oh! do look at those lovely ribbon-bows!' 'You darling, how happy you must be.' 'Real Valenciennes!' Then a whisper in the lady's ear, and her reply, 'Oh, don't, Nelly!' So they would chirp over their treasures, as in Rabelais they chirped over their cups: and everything would be done in due order till the wedding-day, when mamma, who had strained her sinews and the commandments to 106