Mrs. Vanderstein's jewels

"Mrs. Vanderstein's Jewels" by Marion Bryce is a story set in the early 1900s that follows the life of the rich Mrs. Vanderstein, who is fascinated by royalty and the upper class. Her obsession with beauty and status becomes clear through her conversations with Madame Querterot, her beauty expert, and Barbara, her friend. The story looks at vanity, the need to be accepted, and the search for beauty, especially as Mrs. Vanderstein gets ready for a night at the opera. She hopes to wow the Queen, showing off her fancy lifestyle and careful attention to how she looks. Barbara notices everything and offers a different view compared to Mrs. Vanderstein's concerns. As they talk about jewels and looking good, problems start to appear, especially about Barbara's past and her relationship with Joe Sidney, who is struggling with money. The interactions between the characters and their dreams create interesting tensions.