But here she and her grandmother seemed to be almost the only customers that afternoon, and all the assistants looked at them as they entered.

They all smiled, too, and most of them said, "Good-afternoon, Mrs.Dawson," in a very friendly way, which only made Jessie feel even more uncomfortable, for she realized suddenly that her boots were cracked, and her hat very shabby, and that she had no gloves at all; and she wished very much that they could get right away up to the far end of the shop, where it seemed quite empty and quiet.
Mrs.Dawson apparently wished the same, for though she gave a smile and a greeting to all, she walked sturdily through the shop, ignoring the chairs pulled out for her by the polite shop-walker, and made her way to the very end, where a pleasant-faced attendant stood alone, rolling up ribbons in a leisurely way.
"Well, Mrs.Dawson," she said brightly, "you _are_ a stranger.
I hope you are well?
And who is this little person?
Not your granddaughter, surely ?" "Yes, it is.

This is Lizzie's little girl," said Mrs.Dawson, a faint flush rising to her cheeks.

"She is come to stay with us for a good long spell." "Well, the country air will do her good.

She looks rather thin." "She does," agreed Mrs.Dawson, looking at Jessie with kindly anxious eyes, "but she looks healthy, I think, don't you ?" Already it gave her a pang to hear any one say that her Jessie did not look well.
"Oh yes!" agreed the girl reassuringly.