Some of us were
greedy and wanted her best things. I was one of those. She sold a
sealskin jacket, an expensive one, quite new. There is a legend in the
college that eighty guineas were expended on it. Well, I bid for the
sealskin and it was knocked down to me for ten. It is a little too big
for me, of course, but when it is cut to my figure, it will make a
superb winter garment."
Maggie was clothed now in velvet and sable; nothing could be richer
than her attire; nothing more mocking than her words.
"You were fortunate," said Susan Duncan. "You got your sealskin at a
great bargain. Didn't she, Geoffrey?"
"I don't think so," replied Hammond.
"Why not? Oh, do tell us why not," cried the sisters eagerly.
He bowed to them, laughed as lightly as Maggie would have done and
said in a careless tone: "My reasons are complex and too many to
mention. I will only say now that what is objectionable to possess can
never be a bargain to obtain. In my opinion, sealskin jackets are
detestable."
With these words he strode across the room and seated himself with a
sigh of relief by Priscilla's side.
"What are you doing all by yourself?" he said cheerfully. "Is no one
attending to you? Are you always to be left like a poor little
forsaken mouse in the background?"
"I am not at all lonely," said Prissie.
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