“But—” protested Desiré, “the boxes of berries, and flowers—”
She had carried out the plan formulated at Wolfville, and had a number of really artistic boxes of choice fruit, partly covered with tiny ferns, and several odd baskets in which dainty wild flowers were set in moss.
“I hate to have you hanging around offering things for sale,” objected Jack.
“But we can’t afford to be proud that way, dear. It is a perfectly respectable thing to do, and I do so want to be a help—”
“As if you weren’t always,” ejaculated the boy.
“I should think the station might be the best place to start; so drive us over there like a good boy,” urged Desiré.
So Jack kept René with him, and, with many misgivings, left the girls standing near the steps which lead down from the station to the cab platform. The taxi drivers were too busy trying to outdo one another in securing fares to pay much attention to the girls; for a train had just come in. The first few travelers who hurried through the station to secure a taxi did not even see the little saleswomen. When another group appeared, Desiré stepped forward just as they were getting into a cab.
“Wouldn’t you like—” she began timidly.
A haughty-looking elderly woman, who seemed to be the leader of the party, brushed her aside with a curt “No!”
Scarlet with embarrassment, Desiré shrank back.