The Pleasant Street Partnership | Page 9

doesn't she?" said Miss Norah. "As you are
the first neighbor to call on us, you shall not be required to answer. You
may help me trim the show window, if you like."
James Mandeville wriggled out from among the green waves. "What
are you going to keep in your store?" he asked.
The reply was disappointing. "Why don't you keep candy?" was the
next question.
"Because Miss Marion would give it all away, and we shouldn't be able
to make a living."
"Would you?" he asked, turning to that lady with earnest eyes. Clearly,
she might be worth cultivating.
She laughed and left the room for a moment, returning with something
in her hand wrapped in silver paper. "Do you like chocolate?" she
inquired; adding, "I don't know how it would be if I kept it; but as I
don't keep it, of course I give it away."
This had a puzzling sound. James Mandeville almost forgot to say
thank you. He decided to go, feeling he could better enjoy the chocolate
alone. He edged toward the door.
"Good-by," called Miss Norah. "Come again."
"All right," said James Mandeville, and disappeared from the scene.
After his departure all was quiet in the shop for a time, except for the
occasional sound of Norah's hammer as she worked in the window.
Marion was putting things away in the cases which stood against the
wall. It was she who first spoke.
"I wonder if we shall have any customers?"
"That is reflection upon my skill as a decorator. Do you think the public
can resist the display which is about to dawn upon it on the morrow?"
was Norah's reply.

Marion left her work and sat on the window ledge. Norah wore a blue
dress and a large white apron, and as she stood to drive a tack, the
sunshine sparkled in her hair. She looked the incarnation of cheerful
industry.
"I do not know that I altogether believe in show windows," Marion said,
smiling up at her friend.
"Of course not. It is all of a piece with your haughty reserve. Let me
remind you that after we have made a success and have a name we can
retire into our shell and become the sought rather than the seeker, but at
present it is needful to catch the public eye. You have imbibed your
ideas from the rich Miss Carpenter, but we have our living to make."
She drove her tack with emphasis, then sat down on the floor of the
window. "I am not sure I shall not always like this way best," she
continued. "Think, if there were no show windows at Christmas!
Marion, think of Christmas!"
"Isn't it a little early? There is a good deal to be done between now and
then." Marion spoke calmly.
Norah tossed a ball of twine at her. "I see it will be by the hardest work
if I get any fun out of life. But to resume my train of thought which you
interrupted--"
"I beg your pardon, you interrupted yourself."
"Did I? Well, to resume, at any rate: my idea is that it will be much
nicer to keep a shop which will attract both great and small, so to speak.
To make a specialty always of nice, simple things."
"Flannelette?" suggested Marion.
"Why not? It is a useful fabric."
"I foresee if we enter into a discussion of this momentous question your
window will not be finished, and I own to some curiosity as to how you
mean to attract the great, for instance."

Marion returned to her baskets, and there was silence again for a time.
"Your idea of the bookcases was a happy one," she said presently,
standing back to view her work. "These baskets have the air of a
collection of curios behind the glass."
"A charming touch of color against our olive walls. Confess, did you
ever have such a good time in your life?"
"My enthusiasm is sprouting vigorously."
"And the fun is only just beginning. But do come here--quick, Marion!
I want you to see Giant Despair."
A tall, heavily built old man was passing along Pleasant Street, his
brows drawn together in a tremendous frown. He swung a stout
walking-stick in his right hand, as if he would have been pleased to lay
it over somebody's shoulders. At the corner he paused and looked back
at the shop.
"Did you see? He shook his fist!" cried Norah.
"Have we an enemy?" asked Marion.
CHAPTER SIXTH
IN THE EYES OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Its isolation in the heart of the city had something to do, no doubt, with
certain village-like customs that prevailed in the Terrace. The
neighbors ran in upon one another with their needlework for a social
afternoon. If Alexina or Madelaine