Kit grabbed Joy by the arm. "Let's get out and leave things to Bet and Shirley. Four saleswomen in this shop at present are a few too many." The girls slipped into the room in the rear and waited breathlessly to see what would happen.
Bet recognized the two women. They were newcomers to the town. Mrs. Lester had a charming home in Crestwood, a new suburb of the village, and Mrs. Carey lived only a few streets away.
"We noticed your pretty shop and thought we would look in and see what you have," said Mrs. Lester.
Bet turned to Shirley but now that she was faced with a possible customer, the girl was panic stricken. She bent her head over her work and left Bet to do the talking.
Bet did not find any difficulty in this, however. She rose quite naturally and invited the women to be seated. Mrs. Carey started toward a bright orange chair, and Bet cried, "Oh not there, Mrs. Carey. That one is just painted!" and as the woman turned toward another one, she grabbed her by the arm just in time. "That chair is being repaired and would have let you down."
Everybody was laughing by this time and Shirley was on her feet, offering the women the chairs that were usable.
"How long has your shop been open?" asked Mrs. Carey. "I never noticed it before."
"It isn't open yet—that is we planned on opening it next Saturday, for the paint on the outside isn't dry, and as you see, the chairs are still wet and rickety." And Bet went on to tell of their plans for a Saturday Shop.
As she stopped, Mrs. Lester exclaimed: "That's a splendid idea! I call that clever of you!"
"Oh, I'm not clever. It's Shirley here. She's the one who makes those pretty prints that you see in the window."