It's on order.

Have it in next week." Grace left the store almost on the run and hurried into a shop farther down the street, only to meet with the same disappointing reply.

Three blocks farther on was the "French Shop." Grace was sure of finding it there, but was equally sure it would be infinitely more expensive.
Still, she only needed a yard and a half.

She was about to enter the shop, when the stocky figure of a man just ahead of her sent a sudden thrill of apprehension through her.

There was something unpleasantly familiar about the round shoulders and slouching walk.