By the time she was dressed he was gone, and she, Minnie, and the baby ate together, the latter being just old enough sit in a high chair and disturb the dishes with a spoon.

Her spirits were greatly subdued now when the fact of entering upon strange and untried duties confronted her.

Only the ashes of all her fine fancies were remaining-ashes still concealing, never the less, a few red embers of hope.

So subdued was she by her weakening nervous, that she ate quite in silence, going over imaginary conceptions of the character of the shoe company, the nature of the work, her employer's attitude.

She was vaguely feeling that she would come in contract with the great owners, that her work come in contract with the great owners, that her work would be where grave, stylishly dressed men occasionally look on.
"Well, good luck," said Minnie, when she was ready to go.