I hate to be under obligations."
A dozen ready-made dresses had been sent out before the first afternoon
was over, and Elizabeth spent the rest of the day in trying on and walking
back and forth in front of her grandmother. At last two or three were
selected which it was thought would "do" until the dressmaker could be
called in to help, and Elizabeth was clothed and allowed to come down into
the life of the household.
It was not a large household. It consisted of the grandmother, her dog,
and the servants. Elizabeth fitted into it better than she had feared. It
seemed pleasanter to her than the house on Flora Street. There was more
room, and more air, and more quiet. With her mountain breeding she could
not get her breath in a crowd.
She was presently taken in a luxurious carriage, drawn by two beautiful
horses, to a large department store, where she sat by the hour and watched
her grandmother choose things for her. Another girl might have gone half
wild over the delightful experience of being able to have anything in the
shops. Not so Elizabeth. She watched it all apathetically, as if the goods
displayed about had been the leaves upon the trees set forth for her
admiration. She could wear but one dress at once, and one hat. Why were so
many necessary? Her main hope lay in the words her grandmother had spoken
about sending her to school.
The third day of her stay in Rittenhouse Square, Elizabeth had reminded
her of it, and the grandmother had said half impatiently: "Yes, yes,
child; you shall go of course to a finishing school.
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