A DINNER GOWN AND PROSPERITY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 240, 13 November 1914, Page 4

A DINNER GOWN AND PROSPERITY.

(By Janet Brown.)

Characters. Mrs Brown Any Wife Mr Brown, an architect. .Any Husband Mr Smjthson,... .A Wealthy Architect ACT I. Scene: —Living room, any apartment. Time:—After dinner. Mrs Brown: Jack. . Brown (without looking up from his paper): Yes? Mrs Brown: The Griscorsis are giving a dinner Friday. We're " invited. Brown (without looking up from his paper) Yes? Mrs Brown: The Smithsons will be there. Brown (putting down his paper): Smithson, the architect? Mrs Brown: Yes. Brown (picking up the paper): We must go.

Mrs Brown (after a silence): Jack. Brown: Well? I Mrs Brown (timidly): I ought to j have a new dinner gown. Brown: What for? Mrs Brown: For.the Griscoms' dinner. I haven't had a new gown in a year. Brown: What is the matter with your pink one? Mrs Brown: It's out of mode now. Much too tight. And, anyway, you spilled a glass of win on the train the last time I wore it. . Brown (grumpily): Can't you cut it out? Mrs Brown: Of course not. It's right in the middle of the train. Brown: Well, cut it off, then. Mrs Brown (horrified): What, the train Brown (decidedly): Yes. Mrs Brown: Why, I can't do that. i Imagine a dinner gown without a train! Brown (grudgingly): Well, get a new one, then, "but'don't pay much for it. Remember, I haven't any new con- ! tract —now. If Smithson would only j give me that contract I could go south on that hunting trip. And it's ten to one I could afford to buy a hunting lodge of my own. ACT 11. Time:—Two nights later. Mrs Brown (timidly): Jack. Brown (yawning): Yes? Mrs Brown: I got my new dress. Would you like to see it? Brown (without enthusiasm): Yes, of course. (Mrs Brown leaves room and returns wjth dress.) Brown (without interest): Bather pretty. How much? Mrs Brown (nervously): Two hundred and fifty. Brown (violently): What? Mrs Brown (weakly): It's imported. Brown (stormily): What do you think I am? A millionaire? What da you mean by paying 250 dollars for a dress? How do you think I am going to get ahead in my business? All a <wife means is expense! Just blank expense! One bill after another!

(Brown goes out and bangs the door. Mrs Brown sits down for a good cry.)

ACT 111.

Scene: —The Griscoms' drawing room after the dinner.

(Mrs Brown in distance in new gown.)

Smithson (in earnest .conversation with Brown): Then we'll call the matter settled. I'll send the contract up to you to-morrow to be signed.

Brown: Thanks. I'm sure we can make a success of the work. But—er — by the way, Smithson, how did you happen to decide on me for this?

Smithson: Why, I don't know that there's any reason why I should tell you —but—well, frankly, I knew no man cqxild afford to dress his wife as yours is dressed to-night unless he was making money, and nowadays one can't make money unless one ean do the work. Simple reasoning, eh? ACT IV. Scene: —Same as Acts I. and 11. Time: —Same night as Act 111. Brown: Amy, you—er —looked very

well to-night. - You 'd better get a new tailored suit this week.

Mrs Brown (looking in the mirror and speaking to herself): I wonder who admired this gown! —"New York Herald."