Farnsworth was looking on, and he, too, caught sight of the exquisite design. He looked quickly at Patty, and, in dumb show, begged her not to sell the garment. Nor had she any intention of doing so. The moment she saw it, she wanted it for herself, and began hastily to fold it back in its box.
"Wait! Stop!" cried the lady; "I think I want that."
"It's already sold," said Big Bill, stepping forward. "Isn't that the one I ordered, Miss Fairfield?"
"Is it?" said Patty, helplessly, wanting to laugh at the way the lady looked daggers at Bill, yet not knowing quite what to say.
"It is. Kindly lay it aside for me. Mark it Farnsworth."
"Do nothing of the sort!" snapped the lady. "You said that was an unopened box. It can't belong to any one then. I will take it. How much is it?"
Patty thought quickly. She had received a green kimono for Christmas, which she had not worn, and didn't care for. It had been sent her by a distant cousin, who would never know or care what she did with it.
"All right," she said, "take it if you like. You have the first right to it."
Farnsworth looked disturbed, but did not combat Patty's decision.
"But," Patty went on, "I think I have a green one, after all. I've just remembered it. You can take your choice."