ting some prints away noticed the fan.

"Say, Bet, why was old Peter Gruff so excited about the fan?"

"That's just his way. He's simply crazy about antiques. He'll be
offering Dad a dollar and a half for it some of these days."

"We can see right down into his basement from our rear window," said
Joy. "Did you ever see such a disorderly place? Isn't it a wonder
that he ever sells anything?"

The boys had not been gone long when two women walked past the shop,
then turned and stopped at the window with an exclamation of surprise.

"When did this place open? Isn't it attractive? Let's go in and see
who it is and what they have."

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."

"They are lovely. I noticed them."

"They will make nice Christmas presents, don't you th