Several times during the forenoon she saw Maggie Brady watching her, and the hatred in her eyes was too plain for Faith not to see and understand thoroughly.
Her first thought was to see Maggie and explain her conversation with James Denton, but she thought better of it later, and decided to keep silent. Miss Fairbanks was plainly upset and nervous. She scolded the girls constantly, and seemed irritated beyond measure. Whether Mr. Gunning's presence was responsible for this nervousness Faith could not tell, but it was plain that the two were on bad terms with each other.
On the other hand, Mr. Gunning had many friends in the department. Miss Jones smiled at him frequently, as did several of the others.
Faith was standing erect behind her counter when a sharp-looking woman came up. She began asking to see ribbons of various widths and colors. Faith tried to wait upon her as rapidly as possible, but as she was not familiar with the stock, she got sadly muddled.
"How long have you been here?" asked the woman suddenly.
"Only about two hours at this counter," said Faith, sadly. "I am very sorry, but I am afraid I have not waited on you properly."
"Do you mean that you are a new girl altogether?" asked the woman.
Faith glanced up innocently, and saw both Miss Fairbanks and the floorwalker scowling at her.
As quick as their eyes met Miss Fairbanks made a signal. It was as plain as day. Faith was to answer no questions.
The woman was looking at her with her shrewd, sharp eyes.