This is a grand house, isn't
it?''
``No--it's only comfortable,'' replied Ellen. ``Mr.
Hastings--and Jane, too, don't go in for grandeur.''
``How beautiful everything is--and how convenient!'' exclaimed
Selma. ``I haven't felt this way since the first time I went to
the circus.'' She pointed to a rack from which were suspended
thin silk dressing gowns of various rather gay patterns. ``What
are those?'' she inquired.
``Dressing gowns,'' said Ellen. ``Just to wear round while one
is dressing or undressing.''
Selma advanced and felt and examined them. ``But why so many?''
she inquired.
``Oh, foolishness,'' said Ellen. ``Indulgence! To suit
different moods.''
``Lovely,'' murmured Selma. ``Lovely!''
``I suspect you of a secret fondness for luxury,'' said Ellen
slyly.
Selma laughed. ``What would I do with such things?'' she
inquired. ``Why, I'd have no time to wear them. I'd never dare
put on anything so delicate.''
She roamed through dressing-room, bedroom, bath- room, marveling,
inquiring, admiring. ``I'm so glad I came,'' said she. ``This
will give me a fresh point of view. I can understand the people
of your class better, and be more tolerant about them. I
understand now why they are so hard and so indifferent. They're
quite removed from the common lot. They don't realize; they
can't. How narrow it must make one to have one's life filled
with these pretty little things for luxury and show.
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