“You poor lamb!” laughed Josie. “One does have to feel kind of perky for ice cream sodas.”
The sodas were enjoyed, the net for the curtains matched, and the two girls made their way back to the Higgledy Piggledy Shop.
“Sorry to be so long but I fancy you have been busy enough on the other darns,” said Josie. “Anything happened?”
“Yes,” said Elizabeth, “a lady came in and wanted a mourning bonnet made in a certain way. You see ladies don’t wear bonnets any more, not even old, old ladies. Everybody wears hats. This dear old lady complained that she was too old for hats and the girls in the stores laughed at her for requesting an old-fashioned bonnet. She had heard that we did anything and came to us.”
“Too bad you had to turn her down.”
“But Josie, I didn’t. I just took the order on a venture. I felt there must be somebody we could get to do it. She left an old one to be copied as to shape, but she wants the new one trimmed a little more.” Elizabeth dived into a box and produced a little rusty black crêpe bonnet with a widow’s ruche and a package of fresh new crêpe.
“She was a sweet old lady,” put in Irene. “I wish I had time to do it for her, not that I am much of a milliner.”
“Do let me do it,” begged Mary Louise. “I just know I can although I haven’t made a hat for years. I used to get the most gorgeous results for my doll family. I make outrageous inside stitches, but the outsides look fine.”
“Oh, would you? That would be scrumptious!” exclaimed Elizabeth. “When can you do it?”
“Right now! All I want is a thimble and some scissors. I’ll run round to the five-and-ten-cent store for a bonnet shape. I noticed this morning that they had a window full of them. I can get one nearly like this one and then cut it down to be exactly like it. Let me see how this one fits me so I can judge the size.”