"Not a concert party," I implored.
"Yes," said Cecilia, "a costume concert party. It isn't any use groaning
like that. It's all arranged. Sheila and Arthur Davies, Margery, John,
you and I are in it. The question is what are you going to do?"
"Nothing. I never heard of such a horrible idea."
"Don't be a pig, Alan," said Margery.
"Really, Cecilia," I said, "let me plead with you. _Not_ a costume
concert party, please. A simple glee perhaps--just four of us--in
evening dress; or even a conjurer. I'll agree to anything. But not,
_not_ Pierrots, Cecilia."
"Pierrots it is," said Cecilia defiantly.
"Then I wash my hands of it. To think that our family----"
"You can wash your hands if you like," said Cecilia; "we should prefer
it, in fact; but you are certainly going to take part."