The house bills were all paid , the books all in order . John had praised her , and was undoing the old pocketbook which they called the ` bank ' , when Meg , knowing that it was quite empty , stopped his hand , saying nervously ... `` You have n't seen my private expense book yet . '' John never asked to see it , but she always insisted on his doing so , and used to enjoy his masculine amazement at the queer things women wanted , and made him guess what piping was , demand fiercely the meaning of a hug-me-tight , or wonder how a little thing composed of three rosebuds , a bit of velvet , and a pair of strings , could possibly be a bonnet , and cost six dollars . That night he looked as if he would like the fun of quizzing her figures and pretending to be horrified at her extravagance , as he often did , being particularly proud of his prudent wife . The little book was brought slowly out and laid down before him . Meg got behind his chair under pretense of smoothing the wrinkles out of his tired forehead , and standing there , she said , with her panic increasing with every word ... `` John , dear , I 'm ashamed to show you my book , for I 've really been dreadfully extravagant lately . I go about so much I must have things , you know , and Sallie advised my getting it , so I did , and my New Year 's money will partly pay for it , but I was sorry after I had done it , for I knew you 'd think it wrong in me . '' John laughed , and drew her round beside him , saying goodhumoredly , `` Do n't go and hide . I wo n't beat you if you have got a pair of killing boots . I 'm rather proud of my wife 's feet , and do n't mind if she does pay eight or nine dollars for her boots , if they are good ones . '' That had been one of her last ` trifles ' , and John 's eye had fallen on it as he spoke . `` Oh , what will he say when he comes to that awful fifty dollars ! '' thought Meg , with a shiver . `` It 's worse than boots , it 's a silk dress , '' she said , with the calmness of desperation , for she wanted the worst over . `` Well , dear , what is the ` dem 'd total ' , as Mr. Mantalini says ? '' That did n't sound like John , and she knew he was looking up at her with the straightforward look that she had always been ready to meet and answer with one as frank till now . She turned the page and her head at the same time , pointing to the sum which would have been bad enough without the fifty , but which was appalling to her with that added . For a minute the room was very still , then John said slowly -- but she could feel it cost him an effort to express no displeasure -- ... `` Well , I do n't know that fifty is much for a dress , with all the furbelows and notions you have to have to finish it off these days . '' `` It is n't made or trimmed , '' sighed Meg , faintly , for a sudden recollection of the cost still to be incurred quite overwhelmed her . `` Twenty-five yards of silk seems a good deal to cover one small woman , but I 've no doubt my wife will look as fine as Ned Moffat 's when she gets it on , '' said John dryly .
`` I know you are angry , XXXXX , but I ca n't help it .
John Mantalini Meg Moffat Sallie dollars extravagance furbelows minute night