"Vance be careful with my bonnet." Violet Valliant fretted as Vance Valliant, her twin and staunch companion, handed his sister's cloak and bonnet to the valet. "I am going to be careful." "Except you are not careful. And last time-" She smoothed it out, before she allowed the man to spirit it away "Thank you very much." She said to the young man. "That was only one time I bent it." The young man said to his twin and loyal confidante. "And they have professionals to deal with the hats. They won't do anything like that here."
Violet Valliant was dressed to the fashion had on a large dress, that dwarfed her thin. frame. It had large sleeves and wide skirt, but as this was evening a rather low collar. She couldn't even fit into a coat anymore as she placed a small mantel over her shoulders. "Let us have some drinks." Violet dragged her brother to some of the refreshment table. She indicated the lavish spread "Look they have rum punch." SHe smiled "I haven't had rum since that party in Cuba, with the Witch Doctor that tried to poison, Papa."
Vance shook his head. "I can't let you drink that." Vance held the ladel away from her. "Why not?" Violet looked at her brother.
"Because it is not a fit beverage for responsible and respectable young people. It's tainted, with the devils brew. Alcohol is the gateway to all vice. Forbearance and Rectitude are far more sustaining and nourishing and in their own way refreshing in these dastardly times."
"Well we aren't children, and I think this is a gay and pleasant occasion. And your attitude is ruining it." She turned away. "I will have a glass, maybe two." She bent over, and let the server come to her.
"Sister." Vance was in rare form tonight, being unbearable, just because he was forced to go out to a big boring formal social affair. He wasn't happy unless he was doing exactly what he pleased. And she was determined to ignore his opinions on Alcohol and Forbearance and the real laws of Gravity and what color he would paint his buggy. She was determined to enjoy herself. She took her glass and placed it up to her lips.
"You know they probably urinated in it." He said blandly.
Violet yelped was in such shock over his childish behavior.
"Vance Valliant we are in public." She said "You will not use that language."
"I am using a clinical term. There are some twelve people involved in the preparation of this repast. Perhaps more. A disgruntled footboy, a sickly old cook. There is no telling what bodily excretions and fluids that... coughing, sneezing, pieces of hair and skin cells, sputum...." He cleared the table area with his vulgar speech. Widow Havisham covered up her mouth.
"I won't drink it then. I won't do anything I enjoy." Violet was not fond of the dirty tactics her brother employed to get his way. Let us just go and mingle." SHe slammed the cup down. "Maybe no one will have heard what you said and I won't be made a fool of." Violet yanked him away from the table. He gave the gentles around them a curt nod of acknowledgment as he was pulled away.