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thatIwould,”shesaid.“Ishouldbedelightedtogive
Divasuchamagnificentsend-offasthat,butImust
beverycareful.Supposingnextdaysomebodyopens
anewboot-shopIshallhavemadeaprecedentand
shallhavetowearthefirstpairofshoes.Orahat-shop.
IfIopenone,Imustopenall,forIwillnotshowany
sortoffavouritism.Iwillgladly,eversogladly,goand
drinkthefirstcupofteaatDiva’s,asMrs.Pillson,but
notofficially.Imustbeofficiallyincognita.”
“She’llbedisappointed,”saidGeorgie.
“PoorDiva,Ifearso.Asforrobes,quiteimpossible.
TheMayorneverappearsinrobesexceptwhen
attendedbythewholeCorporation.Icanhardly
requestmyAldermenandCouncillorstohaveteawith
Divainstate.Ofcourseit’smostenterprisingofher,
butIcan’tbelieveherlittletea-roomwillresemblethe
goldminesheanticipates.”
“Idon’tthinkshe’sdoingitjusttomakemoney,”
saidGeorgie,“though,ofcourseshewouldn’tmind
that.”
“Whatthen?Thinkoftheexpenseofcupsand
saucersandtablesandtea-spoons.Thetrouble,too.
Shetoldmeshemeanttoservetheteasherself.”
“It’sjustthatshe’llenjoysomuch,”saidGeorgie,
“poppinginandoutandtalkingtohercustomers.
She’sgotaravingpassionfortalkingtoanybody,and
shefindsitsuchsilentworklivingalone.She’llhave
constantconversationifhertea-roomcatcheson.”
“Well,youmayberight,”saidLucia.“Oh,and
there’sanotherthing.MyMayoralbanquet.Ilayawake
halflastnight–perhapsnotquitesomuch–thinking
aboutit,andIdon’tseehowyoucancometoit.”
“That’ssickening,”saidGeorgie.“Whynot?”
“It’sverydifficult.IfIaskyou,itwillcertainlyset
aprecedent–”
“Youthinktoomuchaboutprecedents,”interrupted
Georgie.“Nobodywillcare.”
“Butlisten.Thebanquetisentirelyofficial.Ishall
asktheMayorsofneighbouringboroughs,theBishop,
