Lilian's pale face crimsoned². She was a tall, slender girl of about seventeen, and dressed in mourning. These girls had been her close friends once. But that was before the Mitchells had lost their money. Since then Lilian had been cut by many of her old chums and she felt it keenly.

 

The clerks in the store were busy and Lilian sat down to wait her turn. Near to her two ladies were also waiting and chatting.

 

"Helen wants me to let her have a birthday party," Mrs. Saunders was saying wearily. "She has been promised it so long and I hate to disappoint the child, but our girl left last week, and I cannot possibly make all the cakes and things myself. I haven't the time or strength, so Helen must do without her party."

 

"Talking of girls," said Mrs. Reeves impatiently, "I am almost discouraged. It is so hard to get a good all-round one. The last one I had was so saucy³ I had to discharge her, and the one I have now cannot make decent bread. I never had good luck with bread myself either."

 

"That is Mrs. Porter's great grievance⁴ too. It is no light task to bake bread for all those boarders. Have you made your jelly yet?"

 

"No. Maria cannot make it, she says, and I detest⁵ messing with jelly. But I really must see to it soon."

 

At this point a saleswoman came up to Lilian, who made her small purchases and went out.

 

"There goes Lilian Mitchell," said Mrs. Reeves in an undertone. "She looks very pale. They say they are dreadfully poor since Henry Mitchell died. His affairs were in a bad condition, I am told."

 

"I am sorry for Mrs. Mitchell," responded Mrs. Saunders. "She is such a sweet woman. Lilian will have to do something, I suppose, and there is so little chance for a girl here."

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