Irving Bacheller

“ A crest shows that you suspect your ancestors—nothing more than that. It isn't proof, so there's no reason why you shouldn't have it. You ought not to be going around without a crest, as if you were a common servant-girl. Why, every kitchen-maid will be thinking she's as good as you are. You want to be in style. ”

“ The high-born people of Pointview have bought no gems. I know that some of them have unloaded, and certain rich men have boasted in my presence that they haven't a jewel in their houses, and one added with quite unneeded emphasis: 'Not a measly jewel. My wife says that they suggest dish-water and aprons.'
"‘It is too funny!' said Mrs. Warburton. 'You know those jewels at the ball were quite as real as many that are worn by ladies of fashion. ”

“ He is the only man that ever lived who knew everything and had all the talents but one. He never told a lie—never but once, and that was on his death-bed. Yes, it was a little late, but still it was in time to save his reputation, and, possibly, even his soul. To a man of his parts the truth had always been good enough, and lying unnecessary. If I had told a lie everybody would have believed it. He was a most unusual person, and likely to excite interest in any community. The doctor could be relied upon to take the center of the stage from any oracle that ever lived. ”

“ We find it in the ancient law of supply and demand. The reason that women love to array themselves in silk and laces and jewels and picture-hats and plumes of culture and sunbursts of genealogy lies in the fact that the supply of these things has generally been limited. Their cost is so high, therefore, that few can afford them, and those who wear them are distinguished from the common herd. ”

“ Our purpose is to regulate our talk supply very strictly to the demand.'
"‘It's a grand idea!' I exclaimed. 'The Ladies' Talk and Information Trust! Why, it will soon control the entire product of Pointview, and can fix the price. Marie, it's only a matter of time when the conversation of you girls is going to be in the nature of a luxury and as much desired as diamonds. It won't be long before some young fellow will offer his life for one word from you.'
"‘Oh, I'm hopeless! Nobody cares for me—not a soul!' said Marie. ”

“ Such a collection of jewels, necks, arms, shoulders, and busts was never seen in any ball-room.
"The young men—a good-looking lot—were faultlessly attired in full dress. The presence of Mr. and Mrs. Warburton, of Marie and Reggie, on the floor insured order and lent an air of seriousness to the event. ”

“ Warburton's kitchen-maids, came to me for information as to the heraldry of her house. I found a crest for Katie, and then came Mary Maginniss, and Bertha Schimpfelheim, the daughter of a real German count, and one August Bernheimer, a young barber of baronial blood, and Pietro Cantaveri, our prosperous bootblack, who was the grandson of an Italian countess; and so it went until the high-born servers of Pointview were all supplied with armorial bearings.
"These claims to distinction shall be soberly chronicled in the Advocate. Not one is to be overlooked or treated with any lack of respect. ”

“ We had a great show-case full of glittering paste—bracelets, tiaras, coronets, sunbursts, dog-collars, rings, necklaces—all extremely modish, and so handsome that they would have deceived any but trained eyes. ”

“ John never lived in Pointview,' I argued. 'He didn't have a chance to get hardened.'
"Betsey had a determined look in her face, and rang for the coachman.
"‘I'll have them stored in the stable,' said she, firmly.
"‘If you don't keep it locked, all the women in the neighborhood 'll be in there,' I warned her, knowing that she couldn't help telling her friends of what had happened.
"‘That's no reason why the men should be unduly exposed,' said Betsey. 'Poor things! They're not so hardened to trouble! ”

“ Most rich women who want to save themselves worry keep their jewels in the strong-box and wear replicas of paste and composition.'
"Well, as Dr. Guph would say, 'They are just fiat jewels, and meanwhile the real gems are entertaining the stocks and bonds in the strong-box and making 'em feel at home.'
"The instalment jeweler has gone out of business, and half a dozen servant-girls have refused to make further payments on their solitaires and returned them. We have discovered that silk and diamonds and crests are not to be relied upon as a mark of distinction. ”

“ They must be careful to regulate the supply to the demand. They could easily raise the price above par by denying now and then that they have any conversation in the treasury.'
"Marie promised to undertake this important work, and I knew that in connection with it she would also get some valuable advice.
"You see, this tendency to extravagant display has sunk in very deep. Our young people really do know a lot, and they want others to know that they know it. They are plumed with culture. ”

“ They'd think he was crazy, and they'd know why, in past ages, everybody had died but him, and they'd wonder how he had managed to survive the invention of gunpowder. These girls have overestimated the value of good-will. There are millions of watered stock in their treasuries, and it isn't worth five cents on the dollar. Marie, you can have a lot of fun. ”