Page:The principal girl (IA principalgirl00snai).pdf/148

 But if one is so ill-advised as to visit in Bohemian circles in the afternoon of the Sabbath Day, one must be prepared for all contingencies. Still, a half-pared potato, a sack-cloth apron, and a bone-hafted kitchen knife is a rather informal reception of a real peeress from Grosvenor Square on the part of Bedford Gardens.

"Mrs. Cathcart at home?" said Grosvenor Square, No. 88, the corner house, very bland and splendid.

"Oh, yes—won't you come in?" said the Bad Girl winningly.

Impressive entrance of Governing Classes into an ill-lit but fairly spacious interior, which had a bust of Edward Bean over the hatstand, and John Peter Kendall as Richard II by—not after—Maclise over the dining-room door.

"Lady Shelmerdine," said the bland and splendid one, as Mary pushed the front door to with her foot because her hands were occupied.

"Of Potterhanworth?" said the Bad Girl in tones warm and velvety.

"Oh, yes," said the Governing Classes, pained, perhaps, a little.

"Philip's mother—so delighted—hope you don't object to potatoes—it's Jane's afternoon out."

But no further communication was forthcoming from the Governing Classes all the way up the solid length