The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-03-24
CHAPTER XII

leyl '"The idea is ridiculousl" she mapped.
 Yet, the next morning she found herself watching him. He listened with courteous attention as an indignant customer poured out her wrath. He listened with the same politeness while Miss Dane waved her blood-red nails under his nose laying down the law.
 He was different with Miss Getz though. Not quite, deferential, but not merely polite, either. Gentle that was it. The old silly, why did she shake as he surveyed the department? It was his job to keep everything up to scratch He certainly wasn't spying on her or even thinking about the fact that she wasn't as fast and busy as the other girls.
 This morning, under the usual gardenia in his buttonhole, he wore . black and white badge with Q crimson ribbon.
 SCOTCH SALE" proclaimed i the letters on the badge.
 Beatrice's lips quirked. There were banners all over the base ment in celebration of Scotch Sales. but this badge was too much.
 Miss Davis," he called.
 "Yes, sir?" You're not wearing Scotch | Sale badge"
 "Oh, was I supposed to?" His throat, above his immacu- late white collar, grew brick red As If he guessed she'd been laugh Ing at him.
 You will find 8 badge at the wrapping desk" He added, coldly, Perhaps the badge will help cus- toners to distinguish you as a salesperson. saw two customers walk right past you with dresses over their arms"
 T - thought Miss Getz was taking care of them she said softly. She had deliberately turned them over to Getzie, that's what she'd done.
 Mir. Bradley had the grace to look less severe. A salesgirl at the other end of the department : raised an arm, signaling for him, and he left her.
 A harried, perspiring matron, hertllng sulky, 16-year-old girl before her, claimed Beatrice's at tention. Have you something suitable for a formal dance, miss? She wants an evening gown, but I think some kind of dress she might be able to wear on Sum- days afterwards"
 Beatrice had written seven more sales slips, and waited on two wo- men who had promised to come back after they looked about some more, when MT. Bradley stopped her as she started for lunch. T see you never bothered about the badge, Miss Davis"
 "Ohl" She had genuinely for gotten the stupid badge. I've been so busy. Anyway, 1t can't mean much, one way or the other. The customers seem to know there's sale on, and I've done very well without a badge.'
 MT. Bradley's brown eyes snap ped, and his big hand gripped the edge of the wrapping desk. Are you trying to make fool of me?" he asked angrily.
 Well, really, MT. Bradley" She was honestly astonished. T don't understand you. Just because forgot to get one of those silly badges ."
 She was suddenly angry. Every one around her with the slightest scrap of authority seemed posi- lively determined to exercise 1t, insultingly, on her! "As for trying to make fool of you don't you manage rather well by your self?"
 Painful red flooded into the mans lean face. He opened his mouth, The brown eyes took in the heightened color of Beatrice's cheeks. the snapping eyes and suddenly Mir. Bradley closed his mouth again, without saying any thing.
 You're all riding mel" Beatrice cried. Just because I don't talk the way the other girls do! Just because I know something about style and fashion and try to help these blundering idiots who come in here rigged up like caricatures!"
 MT. Bradley's expression changed Beatrice said quickly, Excuse me for saying that about being a fool didn't mean 1t. It's just that I've taken so many gratuitous insults from so many people around here lately, and haven't been allowed to retort even once. I'm not accustomed to this Sparta self-control." Her smile flashed. "Will you forgive me?"
 MT. Bradley said quietly, For get it. I couldn't fire you If I wanted to, if that's what you're thinking. My authority is ex- tremely limited. So limited it is non-existent. And like you, Miss Davis, I'm not accustomed to Spartan self-control either"
 Miss Danes rheumy eye spied them. She hurried over, her tight black dress straining at the seams, her blood-red nails startling against the pearls she pulled on nervously. Aren't you going to lunch, Miss Davis? Don't hold Us up!"
 Beatrice looked at MT. Bradley and he looked back at her. Then she went to get her handbag.
 At the elevator, he was waiting. "It's my time to eat, too. Do you mind if Tiff I lunch with you?"
 "I'd love it."
 All st once, the feud was over. Yet, in the cafeteria, he leaned across the table and said, I've had the feeling, ever since you came, that you've been laughing at me. Why?"
 T haven't been.' But she had