Picture the scene thus: Two Edwardian actresses meet whilst walking through Covent Garden. It's a balmy afternoon some time in autumn 1913. Perhaps one actress has spent the morning working on her rapier and dagger technique at the Actresses' Foil Club in Brunswick Square and the other has been lunching at the West End's most suffragist friendly vegetarian restaurant just off St Martin's Lane whilst planning the elocution classes she'll soon be giving in the East End. "How delightful to see you!" says the former, a jolly woman wearing a badge of black and gold on which can be read the letters 'WWSL' - let's call her Flora. For that is her name. "I'm delighted to see you too!" says the latter - a tall, willowy brunette with a charming grin. Let's call her Gertrude. That is her stage name. "What a marvellous jacket you have on - and in such a beautiful hue... Where ever did you get it?" asks Flora "Oh my dear Flora" replies Gertrude, "I thought you knew! All my clothes are made by Squirrells" This is the very scene I imagined when I first saw this advert... that's why I snorted with laughter in a very quiet library.
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