The Washington herald., 1918-10-06

getting in shape. and opening at
noon.
Mrs. Walter Penfeld is taking
charge Of the shop this season. She
tells me that there was never a week
during the summer-they were open
every Saturday, all summer long
when they did not clear nearly 100
which was not so bad for one day
in the dull season. She was quite
enthusiastic about their stock for
this weeks sale. assuring me that
there were going to be some genuine
bargains-but unfortunately I haven't
been able to get down there. She
said, however. that such lovely
things had come in that they had
difficulty in keeping them from mem
bers OF their own committee who
wanted to buy them UP before they
ever got on sale at all. And, II I'd
let them, we wouldn't have had any
thing but the most veritable 1unk-of
course We get plenty of that, too-to
make our salesrooms attractive for
Friday and Saturday. And anyhow,
it doesn't seem fair to let them grab
up everything when some Of our
poorer friends need the things so
much more.
You know, you meet q great deal
of human nature in those shops. Its
one of the puzzles of our experience
that neeligees-the most elaborate
, 'confections' of lace and velvet, chif-
fon, and dainty ribbons and flowers
always sell right away. One can't
. think what earthly use they will be
TO some OF the people who buy them
unless. to be sure, they are going
to make party dresses or opera cloaks
of them. You know, there are peo-
pie who have to have those whether
they have decent clothes to go to
work in or not.
Very true! In fact, there are peo-
pie who seem to think that those
are the proper things to go to work
in. Which is one reason why Uncle
Sam is seriously considering putting
all his employees into uniform.
But" to resume Mrs. Penfield's
discourse, there are other people
whom II is such a pleasure TO sell to-
poor mothers who come in with their
little children and are able 10 buy
them such things as they never in the
world could afford at regular store
prices. You see. we have a good many
beautiful children's things sent uE.
For children outgrow their things so
fast. And these people come in and
pick up dear little dresses and suits
and good warm coats and gloves, per-
faps little fur caps and murT5 and
dress their children UP in them-and,
my dear. they are perfectly adorable.
And the mothers are SO pleased. II
really is a Joy TO be able to wrap up
their packages and send them OF
happy"
Mrs. Penheld's real hobby in war
work. this season as last, seems to be
the American Women's Hospitals, for
which there was such a successful
drive last spring. You renomLer
about II, of course7 All the Cabinet
women were interested, especially
perhaps Mrs. Lansing and Mrs. Bur-
Lesson and Mrs. Lane. The latter was
very busy with her own departments
work. and told Mrs. Penneld she was
afraid she couldn't do very much.
though she was tremendously in sym
pathy with the movement. and then
just as the drive closed turned in sew
eral hundred dollars which she had
collected just among her friends.
II is the National Incorporated As
ISOLATION OF American Women Physi-
clans. formed TO meet the demand
for their services both at home and
abroad. 1t has already arranged for
several hospitals for convalescents in
! this country, and is constantly eN-
tending a helping hand to the de-
pendents Of soldiers and sailors. II
| has established a hospital at Sa-
loniki. and one in France, and is at