“You’ll find the collars and belts in Men’s Furnishings on the other side of this floor, while jackets may be found in Men’s Clothing on the second floor.”
“Wouldn’t it make more sense if those two departments were located side by side on the same floor?”
“A valid point,” Beatrix said. “But I suspect the reasoning behind the layout rests with having customers travel from one floor to another so that they may purchase items they’d not been intending to.”
“An impressive marketing plan,” Norman said before telling Theodosia to meet him in Men’s Furnishings when she was done selecting gloves and then wandering away.
“I find I’m in no hurry to join him,” Theodosia said after Norman disappeared from sight.
“Can’t say I blame you for that. He can be trying at times.”
Theodosia nodded before she frowned. “If I do wear the gown I always wear, what gloves would you recommend?”
“Depends on the cut and the color.”
“It’s got a high neck, long sleeves, and the color is, well, it was once a shade of ivory but it’s somewhat yellow now.”
“Are you certain you don’t want to pay a visit to the second floor?”
“And be mocked by everyone up there? Thank you, but no.”
Since Mrs. Goodman was making another circle, Beatrix held her tongue, fetched a pair of ivory gloves that had a hint of yellow in them, then proceeded to fetch ten additional pairs of gloves for her to try on after it became clear Theodosia really wasn’t in a hurry to rejoin Norman.
While Theodosia tried on pair after pair of gloves, exclaiming over every pair she tried on, Beatrix had to excuse herself time and again to assist other customers. Thankfully, those customers knew exactly what they wanted, which meant Beatrix didn’t need to spend an inordinate amount of time with any of them.
“I think all these should do it,” Theodosia exclaimed as Beatrix sent young Bertie on his way to the delivery room with a package that needed to be delivered to a Mrs. Sterling’s residence later that afternoon.
“You’ve made some nice choices,” Beatrix said, looking over Theodosia’s selections. “Now all that’s left to do is for you to tell me how you’d like to pay for these, give me your address, and then I’ll make certain your purchases are delivered to your house by late afternoon.”
“I’m perfectly capable of carrying my gloves home with me.”
“Then I’ll wrap them up for you and you may take them with you.”
“Why would ladies bother having their gloves delivered to their homes?”
“Most ladies stop by the glove department first, then venture into other areas of the store to continue on with their shopping. By the time they’re done, they’ve usually acquired quite a few items.”
“A logical explanation, but because I have no intention of any further shopping today, I’ll take my gloves with me.” Theodosia opened up a battered bag that was swinging from her wrist and pulled out a wad of bills.
“Good heavens, Miss Robinson, have a care. That’s a great deal of money you’re showing right now, and one can never know when unscrupulous types are lurking about.”
“I’m not really the type to secure the interest of anyone, let alone unscrupulous types. People tend to give me a wide berth.”
Having no good response to that, Beatrix tallied up Theodosia’s purchases, took some of the cash Theodosia was still holding in her hand from her, then pushed the button for the cash boy. Thirty seconds later, a young boy by the name of Robert appeared at her counter, and after giving him the money and telling him how much change he needed to return to her, she nodded to the money Theodosia was still clutching in her hand.
“You should put that away now, even if you don’t believe anyone would try to deprive you of it.”
Theodosia stuffed the money back in her bag. “No one would deprive me of it because, again, no one ever notices me.”
“Harvey Cabot has apparently noticed you,” Norman said, striding up to join them. He raked a hand through his hair and nodded to Beatrix. “I need your help.”
“More than you probably realize, but how exactly do you need my help now?”
“There are too many options for collars, and the salesman was less than helpful.” Norman raked his hand through his hair again. “He was all but fawning over Mrs. John Hamline, who is married to Mr. Hamline, a broker and president of the Chicago Stock Exchange, information I obtained through listening to the salesman who was doing all that fawning.”
“Since I’ve just finished with the gloves,” Theo began, “I can help you select a few collars.”
Norman frowned. “When was the last time you selected men’s collars?”
“Well, never, but I’m sure it can’t be that difficult.”
Norman turned back to Beatrix. “While I have to admit I’m surprised by Theo’s offer, I don’t believe she’s got the experience needed to assist me in picking out proper collars. I’d like you to come with me and pick out collars for me.”
“I can’t abandon my counter. I’ll be dismissed for certain.”
“I’ll watch over the gloves for you,” a woman said from behind her.
Turning, Beatrix discovered Miss Darlene Wheeler, who was responsible for the umbrella counter that was next to Beatrix’s. “Won’t Mrs. Goodman be upset with me if I leave my counter to you?”
Miss Wheeler waved that aside. “This gentleman evidently wants you to assist him in Men’s Furnishings, so that’s what I imagine Mrs. Goodman would want you to do.” She walked to stand beside Beatrix behind the glove counter. “I’ve not had but three customers today since it’s not raining. I’ll be fine looking after your counter.”
“Then it’s settled,” Norman said before Beatrix could summon up another protest.
