I
“What’s the difference, lady?”
The remark she had heard the salesgirl make to the critical shopper
was often in Grace’s mind. What did anything really matter! But the
aisles at Shipley’s were crowded with importunate holiday shoppers, and
she was able to forget herself in her work. She had been complimented
by the superintendent of the store; she was already one of the most
successful saleswomen in her department. She had earned as high as
fifty dollars a week, not a contemptible sum, even if to earn it she
had become Number Eighteen at Shipley’s!
Four days passed and still no word from Trenton. On two nights Grace
cried herself to sleep in a confusion of emotions--loneliness, fear
that some evil had befallen him, mortification that she had listened to
his protestations of love, and hope that he would yet explain himself.
Her repeated efforts to shut him out of her mind failed miserably. She
had not known until his communications ceased how much she counted on
him, or how completely he had captivated her imagination.
As she waited for a customer to decide upon a wrap her gaze fell
upon a young woman whom she recognized, after a bewildered moment of
uncertainty, as Mrs. Bob Cummings.
Briskly summing up the arguments in favor of the garment her customer
was considering, Grace was disagreeably conscious that Evelyn appeared
to be waiting for an opportunity to speak to her. Grace answered
perfunctorily the last question of her customer and made out the charge
slip. As she concluded the transaction and bade her customer good
morning Evelyn crossed the room.
“Please pardon me, Miss Durland!” she began, half extending and then
withdrawing her hand.
“Is there something I can show you?” asked Grace in her most
business-like tone.
“Not a thing, Miss Durland,” said Evelyn and smiled ingratiatingly.
“You are terribly busy I know, but there’s something I want to say to
you; it will take only a minute. I’m sorry I was so rude the other
night; may I--apologize?”
“That’s quite unnecessary,” said Grace coldly, and was instantly vexed
that she had thought of no better response. Evelyn, embarrassed for a
moment, smiled again. She was much prettier than Grace had thought her
at McGovern’s.
“It was all so ridiculous!” said Evelyn, now perfectly composed.
“Bob’s such a baby! I didn’t mind at all your going out to supper with
him. What I did mind was his acting like an idiot when I walked in on
you. Jimmie was just as idiotic--the idea of explaining anything! And
then _Bob_ must try to explain! That bored me just as it bored you.
Of course I wasn’t going to let him explain! But I’m sorry I lost my
temper and spoke to you as I did. Won’t you forgive me?”
“If there’s any forgiving to be done let’s both do it!” said Grace; and
they smiled at each other.
“Men are such fools!” exclaimed Evelyn, as though greatly relishing the
statement. “Nothing ever pleased me more than the way you made Bob take
you home. And then he came back to McGovern’s and complained--actually
complained to _me_!--that you had given him the slip! He did
that--really he did! Can you imagine it?”
Her mirth over the affair had communicated itself to Grace. It hadn’t
occurred to her that Bob might have returned to McGovern’s when she
left him.
“Bob is so obvious!” Evelyn continued. “He’s just got to have sympathy.
Really, he wanted _me_ to sympathize with him because you shook him in
the road! Jimmy and I teased him till he cried for mercy. Bob’s a dear
boy but he needs just the jar you gave him. You were perfect! And you
won’t think the worse of me will you, for losing my temper?”
“Certainly not!” said Grace, “I’ve known Bob so long----”
“Yes; the moment Jimmy spoke your name I knew all about you, and
understood everything. He wanted sympathy and being a sentimental
person he sought you out of the score of old friendship. Just like him!
Selfish is no name for him! But to think he was afraid of me! He gave
himself away terribly! He’s so meek now it’s positively pathetic!”
To be laughing over Bob’s frailties with Bob’s wife was something that
hadn’t figured in Grace’s calculations. The superintendent, on his way
through the department, frowned to see Number Eighteen neglecting her
duties to chat with a caller, but recognizing Mrs. Cummings he asked
deferentially whether she was finding what she wanted.
“Miss Durland is taking excellent care of me,” Evelyn replied. “I’m
violating all the rules, I suppose,” she said when the man had passed
on. “If they scold you let me know and I’ll speak to Mr. Shipley about
it. Just one thing more! Bob has told me about your father and the way
Mr. Cummings, senior, treated him. It wasn’t fair; Bob says that. I’d
like you to know I’m sorry----”
“It was all in the way of business,” said Grace. “I have no feeling
about it; I’m only sorry for my father and mother. It was a blow they
hadn’t expected.”
“It wasn’t nice,” said Evelyn decisively. “I wish we could really
become acquainted. I’m going to ask you up for dinner soon--please
don’t say no! There are some young people I’d like you to meet.
Good-bye and thank you ever so much.”