Her sister cut short her objections and hurried her upstairs, where she tried on one gown after another. But they were all too big.
Then on a sudden thought she snatched a long, fillet scarf, which she draped loosely around Rebecca’s neck.
“Why, you look like a picture for a painter.” Even Minnie, accustomed now to the last word in style, recognized that the little sister had a charm of personality that needed no store-bought clothes to set it off.
Awaiting them at the foot of the stairs was the smiling Abe. Behind him with one hand grasping the banisters stood a short stocky young man. Under his arm he held tightly to his side a heart-shaped box of candy tied with a flowing red ribbon.
“My, look him over, kid! Ain’t he the swellest feller you ever set your eyes on? Ain’t you glad you left your ribbon counter for your California prince?”
Moe’s colour outshone the red ribbon which tied his box of candy. With a clumsy flourish, he bowed and offered it to the girl. In a panic of confusion, Rebecca let the box slip from her nervous fingers. And Moe stooped jerkily to recover it.
And Abe burst into loud laughter.
“On! Solemiel!” Minnie cried, shaking him by the arm. “You’re a grand brother-in-law.” And led the way to the dining-room.
Never had Rebecca seen such a rich spread of luxuries. Roast squabs, a silver platter of gerfulta fish, shimmering cut glass containing chopped chicken livers and spiced jellies. The under-nourished girl saw for the first time a feast of plenty fit for millionaires.
“What’s this—a holiday?” she asked, recovering her voice.