She hurried toward the nearest dry goods store, so intent upon reaching there that she paid little or no attention to the people she passed in the street.
Shopping at this late hour proved a comparatively easy matter.

Here and there a belated customer might be seen wandering from counter to counter, but the day's business was practically finished and the saleswomen were busily counting their sales or conversing with their nearest neighbors in low tones.

It was ten minutes to six when Grace, inwardly congratulating herself on having been able to do so much shopping in so short a space of time, hurried to the ribbon counter.
Blue velvet ribbon was the last item on her list.

Then she could go home feeling that her hour had been well spent.
"We're out of that shade of blue velvet ribbon," said the saleswoman, glancing at the sample Grace held out to her.

"Everybody's been buying it.