human
Come in, said Patty.
gpt
Oh, it's you, Mona,--well, I AM glad to see you! In the turmoil of this 'house party' of yours, we almost never see each other alone, do we?
human
No; and I'm sorry. But you're enjoying it, aren't you, Patty?
gpt
Yes, indeed! I love it! People running in and out all the time, and a lot of people all over the house,--oh, yes, it's gay.
human
Patty, I'm bothered about this Pageant business. How does it happen that Daisy has taken your part?
gpt
It wasn't my part. It had never been assigned, until Guy persuaded Daisy to take it.
human
Persuaded fiddlesticks! She MADE him give it to her.
gpt
No, she didn't. She was determined NOT to have that part, but he coaxed her into it. She told me so herself.
human
Pooh! You don't know Daisy as I do. You're so sweet and generous yourself you think everybody else is. I wish I hadn't asked her here. I thought she had outgrown her school-girl tricks. She was always like that.
gpt
Like what?
human
Nothing; never mind. What does Bill say about it?
gpt
Nothing. I don't believe he knows who's to be Spirit of the Sea. And probably he doesn't care.
human
Probably he DOES! Don't be a goose, Patty Fairfield! You know that great big angel Bill adores the ground you walk on.
gpt
Is he as fond of Real Estate as all that? Well, I can't give it to him, for it's your ground that I'm on most of the time, and I suppose the beach is owned by the Realty Company or something.
human
FUNNY girl! Patty, you make me laugh boisterously with that wit of yours! Well, Miss Sweetness, will you help me with my costume? Guy has 'persuaded' ME to be Cleopatra on the Nile Float.
gpt
Oh, Mona, how lovely! You'll be a PERFECT Cleopatra. Indeed I will help you! What are you going to wear?
human
Whatever's the right thing. Of course it must be magnificent in effect. I'm going to send for a dressmaker and two helpers to-morrow morning, and put them to work on it. They can fit linings while I send to New York for the material. Lizette can go and select it. What do you think of gold-brocaded white satin?
gpt
Appropriate enough for Cleopatra, but ridiculous for a pantomime costume! Get white paper muslin or sateen, and trace a design on it with gold paint.
human
No, sir-ee! I don't get a chance to shine as a dramatic star often, and I'm going to have the finest costume I can think up!
gpt
Oh, Mona, you have no sense of proportion, laughed Patty;