But this--this was worse than usual! The girl's quick
eyes travelled downward, noting the increased signs of deterioration
with something like distress.
"Why, mother," she exclaimed involuntarily, "there is a hole in your
stocking!"
"Is there?" Mary Coombe thrust out a small and elegant foot clad in
thinnest silk and shod with pretty slippers not very clean and turning
over at the heel.
"Dear me!" she said. "So there is. I need new slippers too. I quite
forgot to get any."
"Oh, mother!" Jane's cry was instant. "You got heaps. Tan ones and brown
ones and white ones and black ones with silver buckles--"
"Jane!" interrupted Esther, laughing. "Give your imagination a rest."
"But you did, didn't you, mother?"
"Did I? Why, yes--I did buy a few shoes. I had forgotten. The Customs
man didn't find them either. Run and fetch me a clean white pair, Jane,
and bring down the surprise we got for Esther--see how disapproving she
looks. I declare, Esther, it would be just like you to make things
disagreeable the moment I get home.
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