n was ended abruptly.
Miss Jennings went back to a customer who had just stopped at the
counter.
"Show me some yellow ribbon, right away, miss," she said, very sharply.
"I want to match this sample. Here, take a good look at it!"
Faith glanced down and saw that the customer was an ignorant-looking
woman. She had on tawdry clothing and a lot of cheap jewelry.
Miss Jennings took the sample and glanced at it sharply.
"Do you wish exactly the same shade and width?" she asked, very
politely.
"Of course! What did you suppose I brought the sample for if I don't?"
cried the woman. "You must be a dunce to ask such a question!"
Faith felt her cheeks grow hot at this arrogant insult, but Miss
Jennings replied as quietly as ever, "I cannot give you the same shade
nor the same width exactly, madam. This is the nearest I have."
She handed her a roll that was a little different from the sample.
"But you must have it! Look again!" commanded the woman, angrily. "You
are just trying to save yourself trouble, you lazy hussy!"
Miss Jennings turned very indifferently and called to another of the
saleswomen:
"Miss Jones, have we any number twelve lemon in reserve? Here's a
sample, and this lady is anxious to match it."
Miss Jones glanced at the sample that Miss Jennings was holding.
"You know very well that we are all out of that," she replied, sharply.
"How often have I told you not to bother me with such questions!"
Miss Jennings handed the sample to the customer without the slightest
trace of emotion.
"The 'head of stock' says we have none. I trust you will believe her,
madam."
The woman snatched her sample and hurried away, while Miss Jennings went
to another customer as calmly as though nothing had happened.
Faith drew a long breath. Her cheeks were fairly tingling. She glanced
about a little to see whether any one else had noticed the transaction.
The clerks were all moving about in their automatic way. It was plain
that such occurrences as this amounted to nothing.
Suddenly Faith's glance rested on a young man who was standing in the
aisle where he could watch her every movement.
As their eyes met he raised his hat and smiled at her brazenly.
Faith gasped for breath. Her insulter was young Denton.
CHAPTER VI.
FAITH DISCOVERS A FRESH HORROR.
Faith dropped her eyes to her desk so that she would not see the fellow,
but she could still feel the insulting gaze that was bent upon
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