'Yes, we're all wonderful,' Henrietta said again. 'Don't you think we
ought to start? It's a pity for other people not to see us!'
With Susan's help they began the business of packing themselves into
the cab. Caroline lifted her skirts and showed remarkably thin legs,
but she stood on the doorstep to quarrel with Sophia about the taking
of a shawl. She ought to have a lace one round her shoulders, Sophia
said, for the Assembly Rooms were always cold and it was a frosty
night.
'Sophia, you're an idiot,' Caroline said. 'Do you think I'm going to
sit in a ball-room in a shawl? Why not take a hot-water bottle and a
muff?'
'At least we must have the smelling salts. Susan, fetch the salts.
Miss Caroline might need them.'
Miss Caroline said she would rather die than display such weakness and
she stepped into the cab which groaned under her weight. Another
fainter groan accompanied Sophia's entrance and Rose and Henrietta,
tapping their satin shoes on the pavement, heard sounds of bickering.
Sophia had forgotten her handkerchief and Susan fled once more into
the house.
The cabman growled his disapproval from the box. 'I've another party
to fetch,' he said. 'And how many of you's going?'
'Only four,' Henrietta said sweetly, 'and we shan't be a minute.'
'I've been waiting ten already,' said the man.
The handkerchief was handed into the darkness of the cab and Rose and
Henrietta followed. 'Mind my toes,' Caroline said.
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