Invitation to a Party

But one evening her husband reached home with a triumphant air and holding a large envelope in his hand, there, said he, there is something for you.

She tore the paper quickly and drew out a printed card which bore these words.

Instead of being delighted, as her husband had hoped, she threw the invitation on the table crossly, muttering, what do you wish me to do that?

Why, my dear, I thought you would be glad, you never go out, and this is such a fine opportunity, I had great trouble to get it.

Every one wants to go, it is very select, and they are not giving many invitations to clerks, The whole official world will be there.

She looked at him with an irritated glance and said impatiently. And what do you wish me to put on my back?

He had no thought of that. He stammered, Why, the gown you go to the theatre in. It looks very well to me.

He stopped, distracted, seeing his wife was weeping,

Two great tears ran slowly from the corners of her eyes toward the corners of her mouth.

What is the matter? he answered.

By a violent effort she conquered her grief and replied in a calm voice, while she wiped her wet cheeks, nothing, only I have no gown, and, therefore, I can not go to this ball. Give your card to some colleague whose wife is better equipped than I am.

He was in despair. He resumed, come, let us see. How much would it cost, a suitable gown, which you could use on other occasions-something very simple.

She reflected several seconds, making here calculations and wondering also what sum she could ask without drawing on herself an immediate refusal and a frightened excalmation from the economical clerk.

Finally she replied hesitating. I do not know exactly, but I think I could manage it with four hundred francs.

He grew a little pale, becuase he was laying aside just that amount to buy a gun and treat himself to a little shooting next summer on the plain of Nanterre, with several friends who went to shoot larks there of a sunday.

But he said, very well, I will give you four hundred francs, and try to have a pretty gown.