Part 15 (1/2)
ACCLIMATING THE CITY GIRLS
”Waiting for me, girls?” called Anne, joining her friends.
”We just got back from the barn,” said Eleanor, showing the habits which she had over her arms.
”Well, take them to the room and change your shoes. We must wear flat-heeled boots for walking about this place, you know,” returned Anne, noting that Eleanor carried both habits--doing her sister's work for her, as usual.
”Good gracious! I forgot to unpack the walking shoes. Won't these Cuban heels answer?” cried Barbara, impatiently.
”They might answer for a twisted ankle,” laughed Anne.
”Then we'll postpone the walk till to-morrow,” said Barbara, decisively.
”Not me! I'm going to the cliffs if I walk bare-footed. In fact, I'm not so sure but that will be the most delightful thing to do,” said Eleanor, sitting down to unb.u.t.ton her high-heeled shoes.
”Nolla! Stop disgracing us so!” cried Barbara, shocked.
”Well, I want to see those cliffs at close range. If you start for home to-morrow--or maybe this afternoon, if you find the cliffs disappointing--I can at least take back the remembrance of the wonderful spot,” pouted Eleanor.
To avoid the usual argument between the sisters, Anne quickly made a suggestion. ”Bob's feet seem to be about the same size as mine, and she can have my tennis shoes for this walk.”
”And Polly's feet look about my size! Why can't I borrow a pair of her country shoes?” added Eleanor, eagerly.
”Nolla! Your feet are very slim while Polly's are broad as are most country girls. You would ruin your feet in clumsy shoes,” exclaimed Barbara.
Polly looked appealingly at her mother, so she came to the rescue. ”I have always been very careful of Polly's feet, as I can see no advantage in ruining a child's feet, hence you will find Polly's shoes are made by a first-cla.s.s shoemaker.”
”Do they have such things in Oak Creek?” came sarcastically from Barbara.
”Do they have them in Denver and Chicago?” retorted Anne.
”Naturally--in Chicago. To meet the need for our cla.s.s.” And Barbara tossed her head defiantly.
”Polly, run and find those last shoes we had made on the scientific last plan,” came from Mrs. Brewster.
Polly vanished and Anne ran to her room for the tennis shoes. Barbara walked away and stood on the terrace looking at the far-off peaks.
Eleanor and Mrs. Brewster glanced at each other, and finding a similar expression in each other's eyes, both smiled. Thereafter a better understanding existed between the two.
”Staring up at white-topped mountains ought to be good and elevating for you, Bob,” began Eleanor, teasingly, when Anne returned.
”Here, Bob, try them on,” suggested Anne, holding out her brand new tennis shoes.
Then Polly returned with a neat pair of boots with good extension soles. Eleanor took them, turned down the top and looked at the label.
She threw back her head and laughed mockingly.
”What a blow to Bob's pride in the Maynard feet! Here we have to come to Pebbly Pit and find our pet label in Polly's shoes. I'm sure the Maynards will change cobblers hereafter!”
Every one laughed at Eleanor, but Barbara occupied herself with trying on Anne's tennis shoes. Eleanor sat down upon the gra.s.s and soon had on Polly's common-sense shoes.
”They fit to a dot!” exclaimed she, holding out one foot to verify her statement.