Her coming was always greeted with exclamations7 of delight by the proprietors8 of the shop. Clever Danny had so well rigged the little elevator that the usual groaning9 and squeaking10 of a misnamed dumb-waiter had been done away with. Her coming would be unheralded by bell or knock and she would glide11 from the shaft like a veritable fairy princess, so Elizabeth declared.
Irene’s part in the shop had become a very important one, so important that Josie and Elizabeth felt they could hardly do without her. The lame12 girl’s skill with the needle was in great demand, as one of the chief industries of the unique shop was fine mending, which was not the long suit of either Josie or Elizabeth. One of their principles in running their business, however, was that they must undertake everything that came their way and then, if134 they could not do it themselves, as Josie put it, they would “farm it out.”
“My, I’m glad to see you!” exclaimed Josie as Irene came gliding13 from the elevator into their midst. “A lot of lace to be mended and laundered14 has just arrived. Exquisite16 stuff and a hurry call. Can you spend the day and work on it for us? There will be at least three dollars in it for you.”
“Of course I can, if you will telephone Auntie,” and Irene drew from her bag her thimble and needle case and soon was at work mending the exquisite point lace that had been left at the shop only that morning by a wealthy and particular old lady. At times, where the work was very delicate, Irene made use of a magnifying glass, which was as much a part of her little sewing kit17 as her thimble and the very fine needles she delighted in, and the sharp scissors, no longer than her little finger, and the assortment18 of cotton and silk threads.
“I am going to launder15 the lace that does not need mending,” said Josie, getting out a diminutive19 tub, placing ready an ironing board and attaching her electric iron.
“And I’ll go on with my typing,” said Elizabeth.135 “It is manuscript from a would-be authoress who is all dashes and an occasional period when her pen seemed to be out of breath. I think I should charge extra for punctuation20, don’t you, Irene?”
“Certainly,” laughed Irene, “but how would you grade your charges?”
“I’ll give a period for nothing. It is a kind of relief to make a period after such an effusion as this: ‘His flashing eye was bent21 on her with a look of mingled22 admiration23 and rage while in spite of the feeling of uncontrollable fear that filled her pure heart to the brim the beautiful girl first breathing a prayer to her Heavenly Father of whose watchful24 care she was ever conscious no matter how severe her trials and tribulations25 raised her sad blue eyes and looked into the bold black ones of the insinuating26 villain27 who had by his machinations brought her to this lonesome spot where he hoped to have her in his power and as she looked into those wicked orbs28 that seemed to Elaine very like the lonesome miasmic29 tarn30 by which she had been led on this perilous31 journey she felt sure of the power of good over evil and as the realization32 of this great truth came to136 her the wretch33 dropped his eyes and turned away.’ All this without a punctuation mark of any kind, not even a dash, except at the tail end where I have thrown in a period. I should get a tenth of a cent for every comma and at least a fifth for semicolons—they come high—and as for a colon34: it is worth anything one wishes to charge. I think there is nothing so elegant as colons35. They have such a knowing air.”
Irene and Josie laughed heartily36 at Elizabeth, who went on with her typing, occasionally reading to them choice bits from the manuscript.
“Of course, this joking can only be in the bosom37 of our official family,” said Elizabeth. “It would never do to get out that we make fun of our patrons.”
“And so is that what you do?” was the gay question flung at them from the door. It was Hortense Markle. “I knocked, but you were laughing so gaily38 and the typewriter was clicking so noisily that you did not hear.” She tripped in, laying a large package on the table.
“Come in! We are very glad to see you,” said Josie cordially, but into her eyes came137 the dull fishy39 look she could assume at will. Elizabeth spoke40 hospitably41 to their guest, moving some pamphlets from a chair to make room for her. Irene tried to bring a smile of welcome to her calm, sweet eyes, but she felt that anyone who chose to look could easily tell it was perfunctory.
“I have brought the damask napkins that you promised to launder for me,” said Hortense, untying42 the cord around her package. “I have just completed the initials and am anxious to have them done up, as I am sure you can do them,” smiling and bowing prettily43 to Josie. “It is wonderful linen44, some Felix got for me the last time he was in New York. He paid untold45 sums for it but he knows how fond I am of beautiful linen.” She opened up the package and displayed the napkins, which were of exquisite damask of a rare and artistic46 pattern.
“Why, they have been laundered once,” said Irene, looking at one of the napkins with the pleasure she always felt at the touch of fine fabrics47.
“Oh, yes, I often have damask washed before I embroider48 it. It is so much softer and more138 sympathetic to the needle. Does not resist it as does unlaundered linen,” explained Hortense easily.
“We have some lace on hand for to-day. Would you mind waiting until to-morrow for your napkins?” asked Josie.
“Not at all! There is no hurry.”
“I must count them and put them down on our books,” said Josie with a business-like air. “Why, there are only twenty-two here. How did you happen not to have the full two dozen?”
“Are you sure? I thought there were two dozen,” said Hortense, frowning as though trying to remember where she could have put the other napkins. “I may have left two at home.”
Josie counted again very carefully.
“Twenty-two! I hope they aren’t lost. Anyhow they aren’t lost here and that is some satisfaction for the Higgledy-Piggledies.”
Another tap at the door and in came Bob Dulaney.
“May I come in? How jolly to find all of you here!” He bowed to them all but looked at Irene when he said “all of you.” “And does the elevator work all right? I was mighty49 afraid Danny would slip up on the piece of139 work, but that fellow will tackle anything. He is a wonder for sure.”
“Yes, it works beautifully and I find it the greatest convenience. I am quite independent now and can come and go as I will.”
“How jolly it is up here! Aren’t you afraid at night, Miss O’Gorman?” asked Bob.
“Not a bit! There are too many persons tramping around overhead for me to be afraid, but I wouldn’t be afraid anyhow. I guess nobody would want to hurt me. I haven’t anything to steal as yet. Of course when we get in our rare editions that I am to sell on commission for a man in New York there will be something; also some antique jewelry50 and some bronzes. We may have a few small rugs soon too.”
Josie turned her dull eyes on Hortense, who had stopped chatting with Elizabeth and was listening attentively51 to the above conversation.
“So you are going to open up your shop in good earnest, then?” she asked. “How delightful52! It’s such an interesting venture. I do hope you will succeed.”
“We are sure to if we keep on as well as we have begun,” said Josie, allowing herself the140 satisfaction of a little twinkle in her eye. “Business is just rolling in.”
“How much will you charge a fellow if he wants to consult your books?” asked Bob. “There is no library worthy53 of the name in Dorfield and when I want something very badly I am up against it.”
“Persons are supposed to ask us for information and we do the searching,” explained Josie.
“But that wouldn’t suit me at all. I like to see for myself and one bit of information suggests the advisability of another, and so on. I could spend days with your various encyclopedias54 just on this one article I am getting up for the Sunday supplement.”
“What is your article on?”
“Criminology! Gee55, but I’d like to peek56 into that notebook of your father’s!” sighed Bob, who took his profession of expert reporter and writer of special articles very seriously.
Josie beckoned57 to Elizabeth and retiring to the back of the shop the girls held a short consultation58. Coming forward, Josie said to Bob:
“My partner and I are going to make an exception in your favor, feeling as we do very grateful to you and all of Danny Dexter’s friends141 for their kindness to us in launching us so beautifully on our shop-keeping venture. We are going to let you come and consult our books whenever you feel like it. We’d rather not have them taken home unless it is something you find you can’t possibly finish up here in the shop.”
“But how splendid of you! I don’t deserve such a favor. I did nothing but lift bath tubs and things. I can’t accept such kindness, though, unless you let me pay regular rates for what information I pick up.”
“We are not so mercenary as all that,” said Josie, “besides we may need your muscles sometimes and would not know how to pay for them. Let’s call it a draw—fifty-fifty. We might even leave you here sometimes to keep shop for us if you’ll be good.”
“Good! I’d take in the fancy work especially well,” laughed Bob. “I hate to seem greedy, but while I’m poking59 among your books may I peek in the wonderful notebook?”
Josie paused a moment, turning dull eyes on Mrs. Markle, who had been listening intently to the above conversation, although she seemed to be interested solely60 in the lace Irene was mending. Her dark eyes were sparkling and her142 pretty grey suede61 shoe was nervously62 tapping the floor. None of this was lost on Josie.
“You mustn’t let me look in it if you really don’t want me to,” Bob continued. “I know it is cheeky of me to ask it.”
“But I will let you,” declared Josie. “I shouldn’t be so silly about the poor little book. You may take it home with you if you promise to take good care of it.” She took the little book from the shelves and handed it to Bob. “Keep it tied up carefully; don’t open it now. I wonder if you can decipher what is in it. I fancy it would be a tough job. Father wouldn’t mind, I am sure. He always liked newspaper chaps, as he called men of your profession, and used to get them to help him often on cases. He helped them too. He used to say they had much more sense about digging out crime and solving mysteries than the average detective. I tell you he handed over many a scoop63 to young reporters and got them started in their careers with fine feathers in their caps.”
“I can’t tell you how I thank you,” said Bob, taking the shabby little book reverently64 in his hand and putting it carefully in his breast pocket. “I’ll guard it with my life. I won’t143 have time to look into it for a day or so, however. And now I’ll be going. I’ll come in day after to-morrow and get my work in with your learned books. I do thank you girls more than I can say. I hope I can lift mountains for you sometime to show you how I appreciate your kindness.”
He stopped a moment to have a little talk with Irene, whose sweet face flushed with pleasure when he asked her if he might call on her that very evening. It was nice to be treated just like other girls.
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1
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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tenants
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| n.房客( tenant的名词复数 )；佃户；占用者；占有者 | |
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debris
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| n.瓦砾堆，废墟，碎片 | |
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alley
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| n.小巷，胡同；小径，小路 | |
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whatsoever
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| adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么 | |
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exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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proprietors
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| n.所有人，业主( proprietor的名词复数 ) | |
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groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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10
squeaking
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| v.短促地尖叫( squeak的现在分词 )；吱吱叫；告密；充当告密者 | |
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glide
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| n./v.溜，滑行；(时间)消逝 | |
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lame
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| adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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14
laundered
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| v.洗（衣服等），洗烫（衣服等）( launder的过去式和过去分词 )；洗（黑钱）（把非法收入改头换面，变为貌似合法的收入） | |
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launder
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| v.洗涤；洗黑钱（把来路可疑的钱弄得似乎合法） | |
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exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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assortment
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| n.分类，各色俱备之物，聚集 | |
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diminutive
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| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
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punctuation
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| n.标点符号，标点法 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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tribulations
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| n.苦难( tribulation的名词复数 )；艰难；苦难的缘由；痛苦 | |
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26
insinuating
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| adj.曲意巴结的，暗示的v.暗示( insinuate的现在分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
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villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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orbs
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| abbr.off-reservation boarding school 在校寄宿学校n.球，天体，圆形物( orb的名词复数 ) | |
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miasmic
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| adj.瘴气的；有害的 | |
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tarn
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| n.山中的小湖或小潭 | |
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perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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realization
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| n.实现；认识到，深刻了解 | |
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wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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colon
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| n.冒号，结肠，直肠 | |
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colons
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| n.冒号( colon的名词复数 )；结肠 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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fishy
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| adj. 值得怀疑的 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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hospitably
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| 亲切地，招待周到地，善于款待地 | |
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42
untying
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| untie的现在分词 | |
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prettily
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| adv.优美地；可爱地 | |
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44
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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untold
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| adj.数不清的，无数的 | |
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artistic
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| adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的 | |
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fabrics
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| 织物( fabric的名词复数 )； 布； 构造； （建筑物的）结构（如墙、地面、屋顶）：质地 | |
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48
embroider
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| v.刺绣于(布)上；给…添枝加叶，润饰 | |
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49
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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jewelry
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| n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝 | |
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51
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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52
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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53
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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54
encyclopedias
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| n.百科全书， （某一学科的）专科全书( encyclopedia的名词复数 ) | |
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55
gee
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| n.马；int.向右！前进！，惊讶时所发声音；v.向右转 | |
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56
peek
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| vi.偷看，窥视；n.偷偷的一看，一瞥 | |
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57
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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58
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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59
poking
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| n. 刺，戳，袋 vt. 拨开，刺，戳 vi. 戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢 | |
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60
solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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61
suede
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| n.表面粗糙的软皮革 | |
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62
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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63
scoop
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| n.铲子，舀取，独家新闻；v.汲取，舀取，抢先登出 | |
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64
reverently
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| adv.虔诚地 | |
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