Slosson, buyer and head of the department, came in at nine.
Fanny rose to greet him. She felt a little sorry for
Slosson. In her mind she already knew him for a doomed man.
"Well, well!"--he was the kind of person who would say,
well, well!--"You're bright and early, Miss--ah--"
"Brandeis."
"Yes, certainly; Miss Brandeis. Well, nothing like making a
good start."
"I wanted to go through the department by myself," said
Fanny. "The shelves and bins, and the numbering system. I
see that your new maternity dresses have just come in."
"Oh, yes. How do you like them?"
"I think they're unnecessarily hideous, Mr. Slosson."
"My dear young lady, a plain garment is what they want.
Unnoticeable."
"Unnoticeable, yes; but becoming. At such a time a woman is
at her worst. If she can get it, she at least wants a dress
that doesn't add to her unattractiveness."
"Let me see--you are not--ah--married, I believe, Miss
Brandeis?"
"No."
"I am. Three children. All girls." He passed a nervous
hand over his head, rumpling his hair a little.
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