Extravagant Living CHAPTER 16.
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In due time, formal invitations to the party at Mr. and Mrs. Arden's, were received by the Loftons. Lucy Arden called in to see Mrs. Lofton on the very day the invitations were left, to express personally the particular desire of the family that they would attend; and also to offer her advice and assistance if needed by Ellen, in matters of dress and appropriate ornament.
"What are you going to wear?" was among the first and most natural questions.
Mrs. Lofton had nothing that was just suitable for the occasion, and so the purchase of a new dress was decided upon. The color, material and style of trimming, were then discussed and settled to the satisfaction of both parties. We say to the satisfaction of both; although it must be admitted that in the earlier portions of the important discussion, Lucy Arden was decidedly in favor of a more showy article than finally met their joint approval.
"What jewelry have you, Ellen?" was next asked by Lucy.
"None of any particular value, except a small diamond pin that belonged to my father. Mother would never part with it," replied Mrs. Lofton.
"Ah well — no matter. I have enough and to spare. Come around tomorrow or next day — and we will select something."
Mrs. Lofton smiled and said that she was grateful for the kind offer, but thought it would be wiser and more befitting in her, to avoid excess of ornament.
"I agree with you there, Ellen, entirely," said Lucy, "but I do not by any means propose excessive ornament. A bracelet, a pin, a pair of neat ear-rings, and a small string of pearls to wreath in your hair, will produce just the right effect, and make you look charming."
The light-hearted, affectionate girl, smiled, half in earnest — and half in playfulness.
"So come around," she added, "and we'll find something exactly suited to your style of dress and person."
"I'll come around, Lucy, but I'm very certain that we shall not agree about the jewelry."
"Why not?"
"Remember, that I am only the wife of a clerk."
"Well, and what of that? Does it lessen your personal value? I wonder if the wife of an honest clerk hasn't as good a right to dress with taste — as the proudest lady in the land? The wife of a clerk, indeed. You think too poorly of yourself, Ellen."
"I would rather think too humbly — than too proudly, Lucy," replied Mrs. Lofton — "though there is not much danger of the former, for I'm by no means lacking in an honest opinion of myself. When I speak of being only the wife of a clerk, I refer to my husband's condition in life, as not justifying expenditure for jewelry."
"But, child, I don't want to sell you my ornaments," said Lucy, with mock seriousness. "I haven't quite come to that yet!"
"You don't understand me," was the response of Mrs. Lofton. "I would think it wrong to wear ornaments of greater value than my husband's income might warrant me in purchasing."
"Ellen! Ellen! I'm afraid there's something behind all this," said Lucy. "I'm afraid that proud little heart of yours, is lifting itself in rebellion at the thought of borrowed ornaments?"
"No — no, Lucy. With you, I could feel no delicacy — no reluctance, however strong my native pride and independence might be," returned Mrs. Lofton with much earnestness of manner "My objection springs from a different consideration altogether. I would on no account, appear in company wearing a single article of dress or ornament which my husband's circumstances might not fully warrant me in purchasing."
"That's overly fastidiousness, Ellen, and nothing else," said Lucy. "Whose business is it, I wonder? Who has a right to ask whether your husband can afford to buy what you wear, or not? The inquiry would be impertinent; and if you seek to avoid all impertinent inquiries, you'll have plenty of fruitless work upon your hands."
"Still you fail to comprehend me, Lucy," was the reply of Mrs. Lofton. "To dress, or to appear to dress beyond our means — might injure my husband's prospects."
"How so? I cannot comprehend this."
"Has not many a man been ruined by extravagant living?"
"Certainly. But what has that to do with wearing a few trifling ornaments which cost you nothing?"
"We should avoid the appearance of evil, for the world judges by appearances."
"True."
"If, as the wife of a clerk, I dress in a style not warranted by our circumstances — will not the inference be fair that, as the wife of a young merchant, I would be tempted still to exceed the increased ability of my husband?"
The eyes of Lucy drooped to the floor, and she sat musing for some moments. A dim light was breaking into her mind. Mrs. Lofton continued:
"My husband, like most men, looks forward to the time when he will be in better circumstances. He has some business talents, is prudent, industrious and self-denying. But, he has neither capital nor wealthy friends; and must, therefore, wait until by careful economy, he can save enough to begin the world in a small way, or meet with someone who is ready to place capital in his knowledge of business."
"All very well. I like that," said Lucy.
"Now, can you not see," continued Mrs. Lofton, "that if his wife goes into company dressed in a style thought to be extravagant, his prospects might be injured? Men who have money to invest are usually very careful as to who may have the control of it; and while one might be very willing to avail himself of the husband's business qualifications, he might be afraid of the wife's extravagance."
"Why, Ellen!" exclaimed Lucy Arden, a glow of pleasure and approval diffusing itself over her face, "what a little philosopher you are!"
"Am I not right?" said Mrs. Lofton.
"I believe you are — perfectly right. Well, isn't it curious that such an idea never found its way into my thoughtless brain?"
"Circumstance is a wise teacher," was answered. "Every new relation in life, has its own peculiar lessons, and well for us will it be — if we learn them thoroughly."
"Right again, Ellen; right again. I'll tell father of this. It will gratify him, I know. I've heard him talk just in this way many a time; but seeing in his words no particular bearing, I never gave them a second thought — in fact did not clearly see their meaning. Well, you shall dress just as your own taste and judgment may dictate. Circumstance is a wise teacher— and you, it seems, are learning your lessons well."
So it was decided that Mrs. Lofton should wear no jewelry but the small diamond pin, which could not attract observation.
As Lucy Arden had said, she related to her father all that passed between her and Mrs. Lofton. Mr. Arden seemed very much pleased, and spoke with warmth of Lofton's character and ability and ended by saying:
"A wife like Ellen is a fortune to any man""
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