Why, fifty pounds, perhaps.

It's not a ball gown, of course." He laughed mockingly.

"Why, 'of course,' And what does a ball gown cost--perhaps ?" There was a cynical kind of humour in his eye.
"Anything from fifty to a hundred and fifty--maybe," she replied, with a little burst of merriment.
"And how much did you get for the garments you had worn twice, and then seen them suddenly grow aged in their extreme youth ?" "Ruddy, do not be nasty--or scornful.

I've always worn my gowns more than twice--some of them a great many times, except when I detested them.

And anyhow, the premature death of a gown is very, very good for trade.