I've figured it out.

I will leave it to any one of good judgment that any one of these projected parties mentioned here in the evening paper," Philip smoothed the paper on the head of the couch--"any one of them will cost in the neighborhood of one hundred to one hundred and fifty dollars.

Look here! Here's the Goldens' party--members of Calvary Church.

They will spend at least twenty-five to thirty dollars in flowers; and refreshments will cost fifty more; and music another twenty-five; and incidentals twenty-five extra--and so on.
Is that right, Sarah, these times, and as people ought to live now ?" "But some one gets the benefit of all this money spent.

Surely that is a help to some of the working people." "Yes, but how many people are helped by such expenditures?
Only a select few, and they are the very ones who are least in need of it.