CHAPTER XIII.
THE COMMITTEE BUY RIBBONS AND MAKE AN ACQUAINTANCE.
Miss Blake and the committee went up to the village milliner’s the next afternoon to select the ribbons which were to give the last touch of elegance to the dolls’ toilets.
It was a grave responsibility, for some of the dolls’ dress-makers had very positive ideas about the shade, quality, and width needed for certain costumes, and as Miss Smith’s stock was exceedingly limited the purchasers would in most instances have to use their own judgment about choosing the next best things.
Miss Blake was very patient and good-natured and gave all the advice she could, but the girls deliberated so long over some of the least satisfactory things that after a while she excused herself, as she had a sick friend to visit, and promised to call for them in half an hour.
The important decisions were made before it was time to expect her, and Delia proposed going over to Mr. Williams’s store, a place where every thing under the sun to eat, drink, or wear, or to work with might be asked for with a reasonable hope of finding it. It was the only place in the village, except the station restaurant, where candy could be bought, and it was very disappointing to the girls to-day to be told, when they applied to the man who waited on that department, that there had been some delay in receiving their usual weekly supply and there was nothing in stock except some deplorable specimens which would not tempt any one.
It was very provoking, for a number of the girls had commissioned them to buy candy and would be very much disturbed at not receiving it. The same thought was in the mind of each, but neither liked to express it, but the thought moved their footsteps in the same direction; and, leaving Mr. Williams’s, they slowly sauntered toward the station and presently found themselves at the door of the little waiting-room, one end of which was crossed by a counter where hurried travelers could regale themselves with coffee and sandwiches at one end, or fill their pockets with cakes and candy at the other.
The girls looked at each other as they stopped at the open door. Mrs. Abbott had never actually said no one should go into the station unless accompanied by a teacher, because she never supposed any one would want to go there, but she was very particular, and they knew well she would disapprove of their going in.
“Well?” said Bell, wrinkling her brows and looking steadily at her companion.
“There isn’t a soul in there now except the girls behind the counter,” said Fannie.
“I don’t suppose we really ought to go in,” said Bell, putting her foot on the first of the four steps.