Miss 318 and Mr. 37

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1912. Excerpt: ... PEISS AND MOTHEEDEAB CUSTOMERS were pouring into the store with such increase that the aisles were compact with women, mostly eyes, claws and elbows. It was discouraging to illusions to see the gentler sex en masse; but Lisette had no illusions about womankind, and she felt that her contempt for her sex was all too well deserved. The petticoat-treasury, where she presided, had lacked the advantage of special advertising that morning, and there was no run on the bank. But the proprietors knew that the other counters would catch those who could not reach the bargains, as well as those in whom the bargain counters had kindled the lust to buy, buy, buy. Lisette's petticoats accordingly acquired a gradual trade of such briskness that her conversation with Constance was confined to an occasional epigram on some unattractive or intractable customer. It was well past the noon hour when Lisette gave a sudden alarm: "Constunss! Constunss!" Constance almost leaped from her turret: "What's matter? Store on fire?" "No, you mut; but take a good peek at these two dames just comin' down the aisle. The old lady was sixty-three last Thoisday and she don't look more'n old enough to be her daughter's sister; and she's dressed up like a coupla queens. Can you ummagine your maw or mine darin' to wear a real hat like that? And her daughter" "How'd you know it's her daughter, and her age and all that?" "Didn't you read about Mrs. Yoiden's boithday party in last Sunday's WoiV f" "Who's Mrs. Voiden? Where does she woik?" "Oh, Constunss, Constunss, don't tell me you never hoid of Mrs. and the Misses Lancaster Voiden! Why, a society column without their names in it would be like Hamlet with the omelet left out. Didn't she entertain the Oil of Boikshire last week? And they do say her...