THE VERY LATEST THING

In “The Very Latest Thing” from the *Dolly Dialogues*, the scene unfolds in a smoking room, where Lady Mickleham introduces Mr. Carter to her novel amusement: an album filled with people’s candid opinions of her, sworn by honor to sincerity. Despite Carter’s initial reluctance and their playful banter over the privacy and content of such confessions—including a teasing glimpse at the Dowager’s lighthearted criticism and a firm refusal to let Carter see Archie’s presumably fond remarks—the dialogue pivots to the task at hand. Dolly insists on Carter’s contribution, setting the stage for a nuanced exploration of friendship, honesty, and the subtle art of expressing one’s thoughts with care.

Carter’s struggle with the task—his proclamation that true sincerity could spell the end of their friendship—sets a tone of playful yet profound dialogue. As he crafts his entry, under Dolly’s watchful, expectant gaze, his words dance around the delicate balance between truth and tact, painting Dolly as a figure both admirable and charmingly human. His description walks a line between compliment and candidness, ingeniously hinting at her complexities without outright criticism, suggesting an intellect and diplomacy in dealing with her social circle’s dynamics.

Dolly’s reactions, ranging from puzzled to pleased, underscore the dialogues’ hallmark wit. The mutual understanding and veiled insights into character and society that emerge in their exchange underscore the sophistication of their relationship—a mingling of jest, affection, and respect.

The climax of this delicate social ballet comes when Carter, initially seeming to guard others from seeking Dolly’s friendship—a remark both flattering and ambiguous—revises his statement under Dolly’s guiding hand. This correction, turning exclusion into encouragement, reveals the layered nature of their interaction, a blend of genuine fondness and the performative aspects of their social milieu.

Their dialogue, rich in subtext and the unspoken, ends on a note of continuity yet change; Carter, ostensibly seeking solitude yet leaving an open question with his last glance back, and Dolly, with her album enriched by another’s words, remains poised between the lines of their shared understanding and the spaces left unfilled by speech. This chapter not only entertains with its sparkling wit but also delves into the complexities of communication, reputation, and the spaces between words where true meanings often lie.