The flowered
organdy dress that Eleanor had given Sary to wear for the great
occasion of receiving a caller, was much too small for the buxom widow,
and she was in great distress about it. This brought her out to ask
advice of the girls.
"Why bother to wear the dress, Sary, until you have had time to alter
it for yourself?" asked Polly.
"Why, Polly! Ah has to keep up my looks now that comp'ny is lookin' my
way again. Ef you-all hadn't such fine city gals at home, what wears
th' latest fashions so that Jeb can't help but see what's what, Ah
woulden' have to worry so much about looks. But a woman has to keep up
when other women set the pace, 'specially ef she is a widow, like-as-
how Ah am now."
Eleanor laughed appreciatively and said: "Sary is just like Bob, when
it comes to that! It is the eternal feminine, Poll, that drives both
Bob and Sary to the verge of tears, because they cannot catch their
beaux with their good looks."
Sary smirked self-consciously at Eleanor's words, for she thought she
was being coupled with Barbara and her attractions. Sary felt quite
sure that she was good-looking and winsome, but she had to hear
Eleanor's words to make her believe she was fascinating.
"If I was Sary, I'd wear a nice clean blouse and a linen skirt. It
would be far more comfortable than that awfully tight gown," remarked
Polly.
But the help scorned such simplicity and turned to Eleanor for further
advice about her appearance.
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