Page:Despotism and democracy; a study in Washington society and politics (IA despotismdemocra00seawiala).pdf/177

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States. This, however, was ruthlessly brushed aside by a lady who was determined that her daughter should sing a duet at the concert with a member of the Austrian Embassy staff. For the first time Mrs. Baldwin's voice was heard and in it quiet advocacy of something sensible. This was when it was determined to charge a stupendous price for the tickets.

"In that case," she said, "it seems to me that we ought to have some real music. It doesn't seem quite right to charge the price asked to hear good music, and then give a mere amateur performance."

"But it is for charity!" screamed several ladies in chorus.

Then Constance, still with dancing eyes, told that great stress had been laid upon the alleged opinions of various ladies of the diplomatic corps, who had carefully refrained from expressing any opinions at all and were not present to take care of themselves; and Constance had landed a second bombshell in the camp by pleading ignorance of many admirable things, owing to her ill-fortune in being educated chiefly in Europe. This remark necessitated an immediate departure, in which she was fol-