Page:Firecrackers a realistic novel.pdf/39

 Not at all, dear. Come in. You know Mrs. Lorillard and Mrs. Moody.

Indeed, yes, the child responded gravely. How do you do? And how is Mr. Moody? We had such a long talk the other afternoon.

Mr. Moody is quite well, thank you, my dear, Vera replied, in the gushing tone she always adopted when addressing children and kittens.

Consuelo turned away from her and seated herself very precisely in a great Louis XVI needle-point arm-chair. It is very warm here, she remarked.

Why don't you take off your cloak, Consuelo? Laura suggested. Where did you get those orchids?

The child did not remove her cloak. Aunt Jessie bought them for me, she replied. At least she asked me what I wanted her to buy for me, and I selected orchids. I do not care for candy, do you, Mrs. Lorillard?

Not particularly, was that lady's response. I'm sure I prefer orchids.

So do I, Consuelo averred placidly; they're so expensive, expensive and aristocratic. I adore the aristocratic gesture. I read somewhere recently that Ludwig, the mad King of Bavaria, would not permit a dentist to contaminate his palace. When he was forced to have a tooth extracted, the dentist stood in the royal garden and the monarch stuck his