forming
that entirely unnecessary duty.

"Stay here until I come back," I ordered and hurried to the draper's.

She was there standing before the counter, and an elderly man was
displaying cloths--white flannels and serges they appeared to be. She
was not in the least perturbed at my entrance.

"So you came, after all," she said. "I wondered if you would. Now you
must help me. I don't know what your taste in tennis flannels may
be, but I hope it is good. I shall have these made up at Mayberry, of
course. My other frocks--and I need so many of them--I shall buy in
London. Do you fancy this, now?"

I don't know whether I fancied it or not. I am quite sure I could not
remember what it was if I were asked.

"Well?" she asked, after an instant. "Do you?"

"I--I don't know," I said. "May I ask you to step outside one moment.
I--I have something I wish to say."

She regarded me curiously.

"Something you wish to say?" she repeated. "What is it?"

"I--I can't tell you here."

"Why not, pray?"

"Because I can't."

She looked at me still more intently. I was conscious of the salesman's
regard also. My tone, I am sure, was anything but gracious, and I
imagine I appeared as disgusted and embarrassed as I felt. She turned
away.

"I think I will choose this one," she said, addressing the clerk. "You
may give me five yards. Oh, yes; and I may as well take the same amount
of the other. You may wrap it for me."

"Yes, miss, yes. Thank you, miss. Is there anything else?"

She hesitated. Then, after another sidelong glance at me, she said:
"Yes, I believe there is. I wish to see some buttons, some braid,
and--oh, ever so many things. Please show them to me."

"Yes, miss, certainly. This way, if you please."

She turned to me.

"Will you assist in the selection, Uncle Hosea?" she inquired, with
suspicious sweetness. "I am sure your opinion will be invaluable. No?
Then I must ask you to wait."

And wait I did, for I could do nothing else. That draper's shop was not
the place for a scene, with a half-dozen clerks to enjoy it. I waited,
fuming, while she wandered about, taking a great deal of time, and
lingering over each purchase in a maddening manner. At last she seemed
able to think of no more possibilities and strolled to where I was
standing, followed by the salesman, whose hands were full.

"You may wrap these with the others," she said. "I have my trap here and
will take them with me. The trap is here, isn't