Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise., 1938-09-30
CHAPTER 4

purchases.
Brenda Selz was there Her man
ner was not propitious.
"Don't you think this fitted pouch
bag is simply the last word for any
body going on a winter cruise 2" Ann
snapped it open with enthusiasm, dis
playing it's innumerable little gad-
gets. "And it isn't really bit heavy
to carry"
Brenda looked down her somewhat
prominent nose.
"H'm. The depression's still on,
young lady. People aren't going on
cruises this winter"
ooh yes, they are," exclaimed Ann.
"I know dozens and dozens of people
who have already booked passage on
the Mediterranean, and for Califor-
mia by the Canal route, and the West
Indies, and Cuba. Look, Miss SelZ,
at this cunning pocket for passport" !"
Brenda's lip curled into wry smile.
"And you really think should COM
nit myself to an order on the off
chance of few friends of yours buy
ing these?"
"Why, the public would love them,
Miss Selz. know what women like"
A dark flush rose beneath the olive
skin of the Gift Shop buyer as she
said, with studied sarcasm: doubt
less you have more experience than
someone who has only spent fourteen
years in the buying and selling busi-
nessw
Ann was nonplussed.
"Please don't think Pm stupidity
conceited or that I would ever dream
of setting up my opinion against
yours. But this bags so cheap at
the price-so useful for any woman,
even though she never goes further
than Brooklyn"
Which was a sad tactical error,
since Brenda herself resided in the
City of Churches, and had done so
ever since her Ghetto days.
81 don't like the bag. It's too
fancy. I won't take chance on it,"
"Then these lovely little bracelets?
Only dollar pair, Miss Selz. Do
look at the carving on the big square
crystal plaques. Why, at all the balls
and parties, I've never seen the like of
them. 1 know this seasons debbies,
and post-debbies, would fall for them,
hook, line and sinker," Ann pleaded.
"May I give you a word of advice,
Miss Delafield?" The buyers voice
had the sharp clink of ice. "It's to
forget your miraculous Park Avenue
background, and remember that those
lacking it have still contived to
make a pretty fair success of them
selves, especially in business. In
fact, it does not interest them to hear
of the doings of what you imagine
to be the 'uppercrust'!"
The snub was so unwarrantably Sc
we're that tears sprang to AIMS eyes.
Bag, bracelets and wrapping paper in
her hands, she walked blindly down
the aisle, thinking: "She wants me TO
quit. She resents that Mr.. Bradley
brought me to her, asking her to give
me pointers"
Pointers, indeed?
Barbs!
What on earth did a comparison
shopper do with her finds (save the
WORLDLY when they were flatly turned
down?
To take them to Mr.. Bradley over
the head of the Gift Shop buyer would
be to make her a permanent enemy.
for, young as Ann was, she had wise
head on her shoulders, and knew wo-
mans psychology.
"And how did the morning go, Miss
Delafield?" Standing near the Cos
tune Jewelry counter was Mr.. Brad
ley himself.
Ann blinked, swallowed hard, then
found her voice.
"Not so good, I'm afraid. Il
made an error of judgment"
No use to hide the bag and brace.
lets from him, for in her hurry tc
ret away from Brenda Selz she had
q not waited to re-wrap the articles
"I'd like TO pay for these myself,
she added quickly, "I mean, wher
they're not right, not what is want
ed, it wouldn't be fair to make the
store take the loss"
"Hold on. Let me have a look al
them" Taking her purchases from
her he moved over with Ann to the
Costume Jewelry counter. He set the
goods down on the glass top ant
examined one of the two bracelets.
"Miss Schmidt" A lift of his brow