The retail store of Barclay & Co. is of great size, and ranks among the
most important in New York. It was not so well filled when Mrs. Hoffman
entered as it would be later. She was directed to the proper counter,
where she presented the order, signed by Mr. Preston. As he was a
customer of long standing, there was no difficulty about filling the
order. A bundle was made up, which, as it contained the materials for
twelve shirts, necessarily was of considerable size.
"Here is your bundle, ma'am," said the clerk.
Mrs. Hoffman's strength was slender, and she did not feel able to carry
the heavy bundle offered her. Even if she took the car, she would be
obliged to carry it a portion of the way, and she felt that it would
overtask her strength.
"Don't you send bundles?" she asked.
"Sometimes," said the clerk, looking superciliously at the modest attire
of the poor widow, and mentally deciding that she was not entitled to
much consideration. Had she been richly dressed, he would have been very
obsequious, and insisted on sending home the smallest parcel. But there
are many who have two rules of conduct, one for the rich, and quite
a different one for the poor, and among these was the clerk who was
attending upon Mrs. Hoffman.
"Then," said Mrs. Hoffman, "I should like to have you send this."
"It's a great deal of trouble to send everything," said the clerk,
impertinently.
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