to explain
that she wanted to see some black dresses as she was in mourning.

"You want a dress so as to be able to attend a funeral then?"

"No, it is not for a funeral," said Perrine.

"Well, you understand, Mademoiselle, if I know what you require the
dress for I shall be able to know what style, material, and price it
should be.

"I want the plainest style," said little Perrine timidly, "and the
lightest but best wearing material, and the lowest price."

"Very good, very good," replied Madame Lachaise, "they will show you
something. Virginie, attend to Mademoiselle."

How her tone had changed! her manner also. With great dignity Madame
Lachaise went back to her seat at the desk, disdaining to busy herself
with a customer who had such small desires. She was probably one of the
servant's daughters, for whom Monsieur Vulfran was going to buy a
mourning outfit; but which servant?

However as Virginie brought forward a cashmere dress trimmed with
passementerie and jet, she thought fit to interfere.

"No, no, not that," she said. "That would be beyond the price. Show her
that black challis dress with the little dots. The skirt will be a
trifle too long and the waist too large, but it can easily be made to
fit her, besides we have nothing else in black."

Here was a reason that dispensed with all others, but even though it was
too large, Perrine found the skirt and waist that went with it very
pretty, and the saleslady assured her that with a little alteration is
would suit her beautifully, and of course she had to believe her.

The choice for the stockings and undergarments was easier because she
wanted the least expensive, but when she stated that she only wanted to
purchase two pairs of stockings and two chemises, Mlle. Virginie became
just as disdainful as her employer, and it was as though she was
conferring a favor that she condescended to try some shoes on Perrine,
and the black straw hat which completed the wardrobe of this little
simpleton.

Could anyone believe that a girl would be such an idiot! She had been
given an order to buy what she wanted and she asked for two pairs of
stockings and two chemises. And when Perrine asked for some
handkerchiefs, which for a long time had been the object of her desires,
this new purchase, which was limited to three handkerchiefs, did not
help to change the shopkeeper's or the saleslady's contempt for her.

"She's nothing at all," they murmured.

"And now shal