Belford's Magazine, Vol. II, No. 3, February 1889. Various

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СКАЧАТЬ surplus stock that our buyer got at a tremendous reduction, and we are selling them at this absurd price merely to get rid of them before taking stock.

      Maud (eying the goods behind the counter on shelves). Ethel, that gray is too sweet for anything; it would just match your chinchilla furs perfectly!

      Ethel. So it would!

      Newcome (tossing aside the blues with a jubilant air). Gray, did you say, madam? We have a line of grays not to be found anywhere else in the city; every possible tint and tone. Is it for yourself, madam?

      [Gazing at Ethel as he moves heavy pile of grays from shelf to counter.

      Ethel. Oh no; we are, as I told you, merely looking (glances at Maud) for a friend.

      [Chorus of clerics, softly and with a semi-sarcastic, semi-melancholic demeanor, advance and sing:

      They are looking for a friend,

      Who is ill, and cannot spend

      Any strength, but must depend

      On their offices, and send

      For some samples that may tend

      To assist her health to mend.

      So their time they gladly lend

      To so laudable an end

      As is "looking for a friend."

      [Chorus retire and again busy themselves with other customers.

      Maud. Yes, an invalid lady who is unable to go out at all; we thought if we could take her some samples.

      [Chorus groan weakly.

      Newcome. Certainly, madam.

      [Opens drawer and hands forth any number of packets of samples.

      Ethel. Oh, how good you are! Thank you. Say, Maud, isn't that green, up there, the top of that left-hand pile, isn't it too lovely and chic for anything?

      Maud. Perfect.

      Newcome (abandoning the search for more samples). Green – did you say green, ladies?

      Ethel. Oh, never mind!

      Newcome (struggling with the greens, which threaten to topple over on him). No trouble at all, madam – none (lands the greens successfully on the counter). We have, as you see, a complete line of the greens – the most fashionable and stylish color of the season. Do be seated, madam, and just let me show you these unparalleled goods, one-fifty only a yard, reduced from two and a half, all-wool, warranted imported French dress material. We sell no domestic goods in this establishment.

      Maud. We might look at them, dear.

      [Approaches seat.

      Ethel. Well (approaches seat) – I suppose we might; we promised her we would look at everything, you know, and report this afternoon.

      Newcome (displaying goods). There, ladies! I am sure there is not to be found anywhere in the city, or indeed out of it, such a selection of greens; all tones and shades to suit every taste and complexion. Is it for yourself, may I ask, madam?

      Maud. Oh no, no, no – for a friend.

      Newcome. And what complexion is the lady, light or dark? We have tints to suit all.

      Maud (to Ethel). Would you call her fair or dark, dear?

      Ethel. Oh, dark, of course.

      Maud. You would! Why, I thought she was just about my complexion.

      Ethel. So she is, love, exactly.

      Maud. Why, darling! I am not dark, surely; I am considered to be very, very fair for a person with such dark hair and eyes.

      Ethel. Now, I would call you a perfect brunette, dear.

      Maud. How funny! Why, I'm just exactly your complexion.

      Ethel. Oh, my love, only reflect – my hair is yellow and my eyes are blue!

      Maud. I know, dearest, but you have an olive skin.

      Newcome (who has been patiently holding up the greens at the risk of breaking his arms). There, ladies! I am sure we have a selection of shades in these greens that must suit the most fastidious.

      Ethel. They are beautiful!

      [Sits.

      Maud. Lovely!

      [Sits.

      Newcome (warmly, and much encouraged by the ladies having taken seats). Oh, I can always tell at a glance what will suit a customer. Now, what you desire is not the common grade of colorings, but something elegant and yet not conspicuous – like this new reed-green, for example.

      [Holds up the goods.

      Ethel. How sweet!

      Maud. Isn't it?

      Ethel. Do you really think she would like green?

      Maud. I don't know; she is so particular, you know.

      Ethel. Yes, I know. Didn't she – It seems to me she said something or other about brown – didn't she?

      Maud. Why, yes, to be sure, I believe she did.

      Newcome (casting the greens into a reckless oblivion). Brown? We have a selection in all the browns that is not to be found elsewhere, I am confident. (Struggles with great pile of browns; grows warm with effort; pauses to mop his brow with handkerchief; finally brings down huge number of browns and lands them on counter). Our – assortment – of – browns – is (heaves a deep sigh), I may say, unequalled.

      Ethel. What a sweet shade that is!

      Maud. Isn't it?

      Ethel. Are these the same price as the others?

      [Fingers the browns.

      Newcome. Exactly the same, madam; one dollar and fifty cents a yard, reduced from two and a half; all-wool.

      Maud. Are you sure they are all-wool? This piece feels rather harsh to me.

      Newcome. Every thread, madam; that I will guarantee. We are not allowed to misrepresent anything in this establishment. You can see for yourself.

      [Recklessly frays out a few inches of the brown.

      Ethel (also fingering goods). Yes, they are all-wool; French, did you say?

      Newcome. Every piece imported. We keep no domestic woollen goods whatever. We have no call for anything but the foreign goods.

      Maud. How wide did you say?

      Newcome. Double width, madam – forty-four inches.

      Ethel. Five, seven – let me see, it would take about – how much do you usually sell for a costume?

      Newcome (with hilarity, СКАЧАТЬ