Bet did not find any difficulty in this, however. She rose quite naturally and invited the women to be seated. Mrs. Carey started toward a bright orange chair, and Bet cried, "Oh not there, Mrs. Carey. That one is just painted!" and as the woman turned toward another one, she grabbed her by the arm just in time. "That chair is being repaired and would have let you down."
Everybody was laughing by this time and Shirley was on her feet, offering the women the chairs that were usable.
"How long has your shop been open?" asked Mrs. Carey. "I never noticed it before."
"It isn't open yet--that is we planned on opening it next Saturday, for the paint on the outside isn't dry, and as you see, the chairs are still wet and rickety." And Bet went on to tell of their plans for a Saturday Shop.
As she stopped, Mrs. Lester exclaimed: "That's a splendid idea! I call that clever of you!"
"Oh, I'm not clever. It's Shirley here. She's the one who makes those pretty prints that you see in the window."
"They will make nice Christmas presents, don't you think so?" suggested Bet. "Of course it's a little early to think of buying presents, but it's a good idea to have them on hand."
Mrs. Lester smiled at the girl's eagerness and her charming manner.
"I saw one in the window that pleased me very much, but you have everything so nicely arranged I hate to disturb it."
"You needn't worry about that. We'd just love to sell it to you," and Bet looked toward Shirley, who had dropped her work and was already getting the print.
Then Shirley opened her portfolio and the two women looked over the pictures.
"That view of the Hudson is very pretty but I think the print of the gulls suits me better. Yes, that's the one I will take."
Mrs. Carey chose a landscape. Shirley called it "At Dawn."
"This scene is right around here, isn't it?" she asked.
"Yes, it's right down there by Ritter's pond."
"I love it!" exclaimed the woman. "You've made it prettier than the real scene."
"I'm not so sure about that, Mrs. Carey. You should see it just at sunrise or on a misty morning. It's perfect!"
"That's one nice thing about Shirley. Her pictures are an improvement on nature," laughed Bet.
Kit and Joy, who had been whispering for some time in the back room now appeared with a tray and teapot.