Explore "Plain Living" by Rolf Boldrewood on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Just as dinner was announced, the carriage behind the grand three hundred guinea browns-perhaps the best pair in Sydney-rolled up to the door. Mrs. Grandison and Miss Josie fluttered down the stairs a few minutes afterwards in the full glory of evening costume. As host and guest stood in the hall, the lady of the house vouchsafed a slight explanation, mingled with faint regret that the latter was not coming with them.
"You know, Mr. Stamford, this is one of that dear Ketten's last recitals. We really could not afford to miss it-especially as our friends, the Cranberrys, will be there. Lady C. sent a private message to Josie that she _must_ go. I wanted to stop, for we really are miserable about that wicked boy Carlo; but Josie said it couldn't make any difference to him, and why should we punish ourselves because he chose to be selfish and extravagant."