Lilian 's Business Venture Lilian Mitchell turned into the dry-goods store on Randall Street , just as Esther Miller and Ella Taylor came out . They responded coldly to her greeting and exchanged significant glances as they walked away . Lilian 's pale face crimsoned . She was a tall , slender girl of about seventeen , and dressed in mourning . These girls had been her close friends once . But that was before the Mitchells had lost their money . Since then Lilian had been cut by many of her old chums and she felt it keenly . The clerks in the store were busy and Lilian sat down to wait her turn . Near to her two ladies were also waiting and chatting . `` Helen wants me to let her have a birthday party , '' Mrs. Saunders was saying wearily . `` She has been promised it so long and I hate to disappoint the child , but our girl left last week , and I can not possibly make all the cakes and things myself . I have n't the time or strength , so Helen must do without her party . '' `` Talking of girls , '' said Mrs. Reeves impatiently , `` I am almost discouraged . It is so hard to get a good all-round one . The last one I had was so saucy I had to discharge her , and the one I have now can not make decent bread . I never had good luck with bread myself either . '' `` That is Mrs. Porter 's great grievance too . It is no light task to bake bread for all those boarders . Have you made your jelly yet ? '' `` No .
Maria can not make it , she says , and I detest messing XXXXX jelly .
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