Page:The Semi-detached House.djvu/229

 your letting the 'Alert' catch a fever on board. Girls, what is to be done about my gloves?"

"There is a new pair all ready trimmed, mamma, and your grey brocade looks so imposing, so come and be dressed like a darling as you are."

"And will this be of any use?" said John, producing, according to custom, an attractive looking parcel, which proved to be a splendid lace mantilla. "There was a Mrs. Barlow on board who thought of nothing but finery. I believe if the ship had been going down, she would have stepped into her cabin to put on a becoming drowning dress. When we put in at Funchal she was wild to have this thing, and as her husband would not let her, I secured it for you, and she went into hysterics."

"Poor woman!' said Mrs. Hopkinson, "there is nothing like a glass of cold water for hysterics; but to be sure, such lace as this is not often to be seen, I own I do love a bit of good lace,"

"And these mantillas are all the fashion. It is just what we wanted for her, thank you,