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Chapter 9
By-the-by,ournewenlargedandtintedphotographslookveryniceonthewalls,especiallyasCarriehasarrangedsomeLibertysilkbowsonthefourcornersofthem.
ThefirstarrivalwasGowing,who,withhisusualtaste,greetedmewith:“Hulloh,Pooter,whyyourtrousersaretooshort!”
Isimplysaid:“Verylikely,andyouwillfindmytemper‘short’also.”
Hesaid:“Thatwon’tmakeyourtrouserslonger,Juggins.Youshouldgetyourmissustoputaflounceonthem.”
IwonderIwastemytimeenteringhisinsultingobservationsinmydiary.
ThenextarrivalswereMr.andMrs.Cummings.Theformersaid:“Asyoudidn’tsayanythingaboutdress,Ihavecome‘halfdress.’”Hehadonablackfrock-coatandwhitetie.TheJames’,Mr.Merton,andMr.Stillbrookarrived,butLupinwasrestlessandunbearabletillhisDaisyMutlarandFrankarrived.
CarrieandIwereratherstartledatDaisy’sappearance.Shehadabright-crimsondresson,cutverylowintheneck.Idonotthinksuchastylemodest.SheoughttohavetakenalessonfromCarrie,andcoveredhershoulderswithalittlelace.Mr.Nackles,Mr.Sprice–Hoggandhisfourdaughterscame;sodidFranching,andoneortwoofLupin’snewfriends,membersofthe“HollowayComedians.”Someoftheseseemedrathertheatricalintheirmanner,especiallyone,whowasposingalltheevening,andleantonourlittleroundtableandcrackedit.Lupincalledhim“ourHenry,”andsaidhewas“ourleadattheH.C.
