Meantime the panorama of Elizabeth's life passed on into more peaceful
scenes. By means of the telephone and the maid a lot of new and beautiful
garments were provided for her, which fitted perfectly, and which
bewildered her not a little until they were explained by Marie. Elizabeth
had her meals up-stairs until these things had arrived and she had put
them on. The texture of the garments was fine and soft, and they were rich
with embroidery and lace. The flannels were as soft as the down in a
milkweed pod, and everything was of the best. Elizabeth found herself
wishing she might share them with Lizzie,--Lizzie who adored rich and
beautiful things, and who had shared her meagre outfit with her. She
mentioned this wistfully to her grandmother, and in a fit of childish
generosity that lady said: "Certainly, get her what you wish. I'll take
you downtown some day, and you can pick out some nice things for them all.
I hate to be under obligations."
A dozen ready-made dresses had been sent out before the first afternoon
was over, and Elizabeth spent the rest of the day in trying on and walking
back and forth in front of her grandmother. At last two or three were
selected which it was thought would "do" until the dressmaker could be
called in to help, and Elizabeth was clothed and allowed to come down into
the life of the household.
It was not a large household. It consisted of the grandmother, her dog,
and the servants. Elizabeth fitted into it better than she had feared. It
seemed pleasanter to her than the house on Flora Street. There was more
room, and more air, and more quiet. With her mountain breeding she could
not get her breath in a crowd.
She was presently taken in a luxurious carriage, drawn by two beautiful
horses, to a large department store, where she sat by the hour and watched
her grandmother choose things for her. Another girl might have gone half
wild over the delightful experience of being able to have anything in the
shops. Not so Elizabeth. She watched it all apathetically, as if the goods
displayed about had been the leaves upon the trees set forth for her
admiration. She could wear but one dress at once, and one hat. Why were so
many necessary? Her main hope lay in the words her grandmother had spoken
about sending her to school.
The third day of her stay in Rittenhouse Square, Elizabeth had reminded
her of it, and the grandmother had said half impatiently: "Yes, yes,
child; you shall go of course to a finishing school. That will be
necessary. But first I must get you fixed up. You have scarcely anything
to put on." So Elizabeth subsided.
At last there dawned a beautiful Sabbath when, the wardrobe seemingly
complete, Elizabeth was told to array herself for church, as they were
going that morning. With great delight and thanksgiving she put on what
she was told; and, when she looked into the great French plate mirror
after Marie had put on the finishing touches, she was astonished at
herself. It was all true, after all. She was a pretty girl.