"Alice, you know I don't ask much but..."

"Nonsense, Bertram. My stockings cost more than your rug."

Ah, beat me to it, Rita. I have to think, though, that either that's one cheap rug or some VERY expensive stockings, lol. I think Alice wore the shoes into Bert's office because she knows it annoys him and she doesn't care. They probably have the same conversation every time she visits him at the office.

ok what am I missing her guys.. She was wearing shoes in his office and he doesnt like that,,,but shouldnt she have said that her shoes cost more than his rug if she was still wearing the shoes?

steve, just guessing,but maybe she meant that if she took off her shoes (Bert's rule) she might get a run in her stockings wearing only them on Bert's rug (is it some kind of natural fiber and maybe sort of rough?)
Never seen (or forgot if I have) Bert's rug, but since he likes oriental decor, I'd guess it would be some kind of natural fiber "mat" material rather than carpet???

Meaning she might damage her stockings if she took off her shoes and walked on his rug. I infer her stockings were probably pure silk from France.

Ok, I'm with Steve here, I think I remember Bert's sister saying her SHOES cost more than the rug, not her stockings. I don't recall anything being said about her stockings. Will have to catch the re-run to be sure.

Alice did say it was her stockings that were more expensive than Bert's rug.

I love brother and sister dynamics. She can say tohim what no one else dares. And she enjoys saying it. I think he likes hearing, too. Now we know the no shoes rule in because of the rug and not something more esoteric. I had wondered about that. She 'helped him out' when when SC needed it, and she won't let him forget. I wonder what her companion looks like? I liked Miss Cooper very much.

My apologies - just watched MM again - she did say stockings. I'll have to pay better attention!

I,too, think Bert's sister leaves her shoes on just to annoy Bert. It's something a "little" sister would do.

I wish I knew what she meant when she told Bert he "ruined the life of that young architect" or some words to that effect. I guess that will be explained later on, either Sun. night or next season.

SCfan, I just took it too mean that Bert was so demanding and nitpicky, he drove the young architect nuts. It figures that a man who makes people remove their shoes before entering his office might be that way building or remodeling a residence.