English to you yet," Sadie said, flattering the prospective buyer,
and smiling at her pleasantly. "If you will just step in and see these
skirts--or a two-piece suit if you will?"

Helen observed her new friend with amazement. Although she knew Sadie
could be no older than herself, she used the tact of long business
experience in handling the woman. And she got her into the store, too!

"I wash my hands of 'em when they get inside," she said, laughing, and
coming back to Helen. "If Old Yawcob and his wife and his salesladies
can't hold 'em, it isn't _my_ fault, you understand. I'm about the
youngest puller-in there is along Madison Street--although that little
hunchback in front of the millinery shop yonder _looks_ younger."

"But you don't try to pull _me_ in," said Helen, laughing. "And I've got
ten whole dollars to spend."

"That's right. But then, you see, you're my friend, Miss," said Sadie. "I
want to be sure you get your money's worth. So I'm going with you when you
buy your dress--that is, if you'll let me."

"Let you? Why, I'd dearly love to have you advise me," declared the
Western girl. "And don't--_don't_--call me 'Miss.' I'm Helen Morrell, I
tell you."

"All right. If you say so. But, you know, you _are_ from Madison Avenyer
just the same."

"No. I'm from a great big ranch out West."

"That's like a farm--yes? I gotter cousin that works on a farm over on
Long Island. It's a big farm--it's eighty acres. Is that farm you come
from as big as that?"

Helen nodded and did not smile at the girl's ignorance. "Very much bigger
than eighty acres," she said. "You see, it has to be, for we raise cattle
instead of vegetables."

"Well, I guess I don't know much about it," admitted Sadie, frankly. "All
I know is this city and mostly this part of it down here on the East Side.
We all have to work so hard, you know. But we're getting along better than
we did at first, for more of us children can work.

"And now I want you should go home with me for dinner, Helen--yes! It is
my dinner hour quick now; and then we will have time to pick you out a
bargain for a dress. Sure! You'll come?"

"If I won't be imposing on you?" said Helen, slowly.

"Huh! That's all right. We'll have enough to eat _this_ noon. And it ain't
so Jewish, either, for father don't come home till night. Father's awful
religious; but I tell mommer she must be up-to-date and have some 'Merican
style about her. I got her to leave off her wig yet.