Buzza, timorous, in bright green satin. But of the throng of Trojan
men and women, not though I had a hundred mouths, etc., etc.
"Her dress must have cost nine shillings a yard if it cost a penny,"
said Miss Limpenny when they were outside in the open air.
She looked at the ground as she said so, for she could forget neither
the Nightcap nor the Telescope.
The Admiral was silent.
"She is very lovely," remarked Mrs. Buzza, "and did you remark how
the Vicar paused in the Litany when he came to 'all the Nobility'?"
"I was particularly careful to pray for Lord Sinkport," said Calypso,
innocently.
Still the Admiral was silent. That afternoon Mrs. Buzza, stealing
softly into the back parlour lest she should disturb her lord, was
amazed, in place of the usual recumbent form with a bandanna over its
face, to find him sitting up, wide awake, and staring gloomily.
"My dear--" she began in her confusion.
The Admiral turned a Gorgon stare upon her, but made no answer.
Under its petrifying influence she backed out without another word,
to communicate with the girls upon the portent.
This mood of the Admiral's lasted all day. Next morning, at
breakfast, he looked up from his bacon, and observed, with the air of
a man whose mind is made up--
"Emily, see that the girls have on their best gowns by eleven o'clock
sharp.
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