Meantime the panorama of Elizabeth's life passed on into more peaceful

scenes. By means of the telephone and the maid a lot of new and beautiful

garments were provided for her, which fitted perfectly, and which

bewildered her not a little until they were explained by Marie. Elizabeth

had her meals up-stairs until these things had arrived and she had put

them on. The texture of the garments was fine and soft, and they were rich

with embroidery and lace. The flannels were as soft as the down in a

milkweed pod, and everything was of the best. Elizabeth found herself

wishing she might share them with Lizzie,--Lizzie who adored rich and

beautiful things, and who had shared her meagre outfit with her. She

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mentioned this wistfully to her grandmother, and in a fit of childish

generosity that lady said: "Certainly, get her what you wish. I'll take

you downtown some day, and you can pick out some nice things for them all.

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. That will be

necessary. But first I must get you fixed up. You have scarcely anything

to put on." So Elizabeth subsided.

At last there dawned a beautiful Sabbath when, the wardrobe seemingly

complete, Elizabeth was told to array herself for church, as they were

going that morning. With great delight and thanksgiving she put on what

she was told; and, when she looked into the great French plate mirror

after Marie had put on the finishing touches, she was astonished at

herself. It was all true, after all. She was a pretty girl.




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