She put it under her arm and looked in the mirror. “Do you have anything in python? Alligator may still be a little staid.”

“Well, I adore this envelope one and the handle on the chain is to die for.” He showed her a purple and orange python flat purse. “But it may be a little too Madonna for you.”

Judy pulled the clutch toward her. “Do I dare?”

“I think you can pull it off because you’re not really going for it, you know what I mean?”

“How much is it?” Judy asked, although the price wasn’t going to stop her.

“Just three thousand. Half the alligator,” he said offhandedly.

Judy pulled it closer. “I think I’m falling in love, although it may wreak havoc with my shoes.”

Just then the housekeeper came into the room.

“Mrs. Tremont, I need to speak with you.”

“Later.” Judy waved her away.

“Ma’am, it’s an emergency.”

“Are the children all right?” Judy dropped the clutch.

“Why don’t I leave these and a couple other favorites of mine with you and let you decide.” The accommodating salesman got up, leaving the purses behind for her to salivate over. “I’ll send someone over later for the ones you don’t want.”

“Oh, that should be perfect. Who knows, maybe I’ll keep them all.” Judy giggled. “I mean I shouldn’t, but they’re hard to resist.”

“I know what you mean.” He extended his hand. “It’s been a pleasure.”

When the salesman left, leaving an array of $20,000 worth of evening bags, Judy turned irritatedly to the housekeeper.

“Okay. Let’s have it. You realize you interrupted a very important meeting.”

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Tremont. But I think you should know that Emily quit.”

“What? Emily the nanny?”

“She left an hour ago. She found out her mother’s sick, so she went home to Baton Rouge.”

“She can’t just do that. My gala is tonight.” Judy was furious. “Call her.”

“She left a note, Mrs. Tremont. Here it is.” The housekeeper took it out of her pocket.

“I’ll take that.” Judy grabbed the note and read: “Dear Mrs. Tremont, Decided to leave today. Have an emergency at home. Love to the girls.”

“This is the most ungrateful, crude behavior I have ever heard of.” Judy began pacing the room and hyperventilating. “I bet she took my jewelry. I bet she’s pregnant, too. I wonder if she figured out our PIN number.” Judy suddenly began screaming. “Goddammit! This is the last time I’m hiring white trash from the Sutton Agency. No one who isn’t Irish and directly from Ireland is setting foot in this house.”

“But I thought Emily was a Skidmore graduate from Connecticut. She isn’t white trash, ma’am,” the housekeeper noted.