Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise., 1938-10-21
CHAPTER VII

lou Te well dWdIC VI NIiOAii ~ oSNiHN
ing" said Renita, smiling unpleasant
ly.
Ann felt sick at heart.
It was foolish to pay attention tt
the threat of anyone who had beer
drinking, though the old proverb haC
a measure of warning in it that many
a true word is spoken in drink.
Uncertain what to do, she was thank
full to see Miss Shellfish, Buyer OF
Misses Dresses, approaching Renita
and herself.
Ann moved hastily off.
One look at her Head of Stock gave
the Buyer her cue.
you're not yourself, Renita. You
look terrible. Whatever Mr.. Brad
ley will say when he sees you-and
he's liable to come in here any min
ute-I can't think. Go on out to the
dressingroom and take a cold shower.
Then I'd advise you to go up to the
beauty-parlor and relax while you're
having a facial. You certainly need
it. If anyone asks for you, I'll say
1 sent you to the Stock Room"
Kindly Miss Shellifsh might be, but
she had backbone. There was no
gainsaying her.
Shamefacedly, and hoping that the
Delafield chit might be sporting e.
nough not to tattle, Renita depart
ed for the beneficial effects of-for
a change-cold water.
Meantime, Miss Shellfish was ex-
patiating on the various qualities and
prices of the dresses, to Ann. "You
know it's awfully important, my dear,
for me to have my selling force cooper
ate with me. I can't abide friction.
My! it isn't easy to be buyer, as one
day you'll find out for yourself, for
I'm sure you're clever and ambitious,
and'll go ahead with the best. You
see, a buyer first Of all has to sell
her girls on the floor, so that in turn
she may sell her customers"
Now these somewhat odd express
sions were beginning to be Ineligible
to Ann, though at first they had per-
picked her.
"a buyer, you see," continued Miss
Shellfish, "has also to sell bill to the
merchandise-manager, and all down
the line. Mr.. Bradshaw's swell fell
low, and we're all crazy about him but
he has no sympathy with incompet-
ence,"
Ann couldn't hear enough about
Paul Bradley, and urged Miss She'll
fish to continue, but she was off on a
different tack.
"It isn't all beer and skittles, by
any means land especially when an at
tractive, capable girl comes here to
work. There are plenty only too ready
and willing to make trouble. Jeal-
ousy! That's what she has to contend
with. Lies! Running to the boss with
tales of this and that!"
"I won't mention names, but dare
say already you've had your own
troubles, my dear child. But don't
let them down you. You know the
truth always comes out in the end,
and if your conscience's clear, you'll
be the winner" She moved off to
attend a customer who had just come
in.
Miss Shellfish's tactics were ex-
tremely domestic, even to the point OF
flattering the customer. She admir-
ed her bag, her hat-Ann overheard
it-and presently she had sold her two
dresses for her daughter.
"I'm learning how it goes!" thought
Ann.
She avoided the restaurant at lunch
fearing to run into Gordon Gavin.
The afternoon went on.
Four of AIMS girl friends, rallying
to her call, arrived in the department.
They had lunched at "21", that
fashionable cafe, and, by their hilar-
ity, had evidently consumed good
many cocktails.
Their jokes, their bright laughter
rang through the salon.
"Will l get in Dutch for this Z
thought Ann. She became more alarm
ed when she saw the merchandise
manager watching her party!
"For the love of Pete, buy some
thing, girls! D'you want to get me
fired?" she whispered.
"Where's the Big Bad Wolff" One
of them swung around. Sighting the
merchandise-manager she gave littl'
scream of joy. "Why! if it isn't Pau
Bradley"
She danced up to Paul, making big