Prompt and instant dismissal . And Patty ? The thought of the little sister quelled the storm in Marcella 's soul . For Patty 's sake she must control her temper -- and she did . With an effort that left her white and tremulous she crushed back the hot words and said quietly : `` I beg your pardon , Mrs. Liddell . I did not mean to be inattentive . Let me show you some of our new lingerie waists , I think you will like them . '' But Mrs. Liddell did not like the new lingerie waists which Marcella brought to her in her trembling hands . For another half hour she examined and found fault and sneered . Then she swept away with the scornful remark that she did n't see a thing there that was fit to wear , and she would go to Markwell Bros. and see if they had anything worth looking at . When she had gone , Marcella leaned against the counter , pale and exhausted . She must have a breathing spell . Oh , how her head ached ! How hot and stifling and horrible everything was ! She longed for the country herself . Oh , if she and Patty could only go away to some place where there were green clover meadows and cool breezes and great hills where the air was sweet and pure ! During all this time a middle-aged woman had been sitting on a stool beside the bargain counter . When a clerk asked her if she wished to be waited on , she said , `` No , I 'm just waiting here for a friend who promised to meet me . '' She was tall and gaunt and grey haired . She had square jaws and cold grey eyes and an aggressive nose , but there was something attractive in her plain face , a mingling of common sense and kindliness .
She watched Marcella and Mrs. XXXXX closely and lost nothing of all that was said and done on both sides .
Bros. Liddell Marcella Patty haired hour jaws left sake waists