"Very," Clara had answered.
The handsome girl was Sallie.
At another time Francesca, admiring some particular specimen of the
pomps and vanities with which the store was crowded, was about carrying
it away, but first experimented as to its fit.
"O dear!" she cried, in dismay, "it is too short, and"--rummaging
through the box--"there is not another like it, and it is the only one I
want."
"How provoking!" sympathized Clara.
"I could very easily alter that," said Sallie, who was behind the
counter; "I make these up for the shop, and I'll be glad to fix this for
you, if you like it so much."
"Thanks. You are very kind. Can you send it up to-morrow?"
"This evening, if you wish it."
"Very good; I shall be your debtor."
"Well!" exclaimed Clara, as they turned away, this is the first time in
all my shopping I ever found a girl ready to put herself out to serve
one. They usually act as if they were conferring the most overwhelming
favor by condescending to wait upon you at all."
"Why, Clara, I'm sure I always find them civil."
"I know they seem devoted to you. I wonder why. Oh!"--laughing and
looking at her friend with honest admiration,--"it must be because you
are so pretty."
"Excellent,--how discerning you are!" smiled Francesca, in return.
If Clara had had a little more discernment, she would have discovered
that what wrought this miracle was a friendly courtesy, that never
failed to either equal or subordinate.
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