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or fifty dollars more to her, anyhow, in case she asked for it. The firm
had been offering it at one hundred. He thought to himself about the
probable trading value of such a coat. What would such a poor, vain and
pretty girl pay for this coat?
Meanwhile, however, Hortense, having stared as long as her
lunch-hour would permit, had gone away still dreaming how she would
look in such a coat. But she had not stopped to ask the price. The next
day, feeling that she must look at it once more, she returned, only this
time alone, and yet with no idea of being able to purchase it herself. But
seeing that coat once more, she finally came in.
“You like that coat, eh?” were Rubinstein’s words as she opened
the door. “Well, that shows you have good taste, I’ll say. That’s one of
the noblest little coats we’ve ever had to show in this store yet. A real
beauty, that. And how it would look on such a beautiful girl as you!” He
took it out of the window and held it up. “I saw you when you were
looking at it yesterday.” A gleam of greedy admiration was in his eyes.
And noting this, and feeling that a remote and yet not wholly
unfriendly air would win her more consideration and courtesy than a
more intimate one, Hortense merely said, “Yes?”
“Yes, indeed. And I said then, there’s a girl that knows a really
chic coat when she sees it. Look at it! Look at it!” said Mr Rubinstein,
turning the coat about and holding it before her. “Where in Kansas City
will you find anything to equal that to-day? Look at the silk lining here –
and these slant pockets. And the buttons. You think those things don’t
make a different-looking coat? There isn’t another one like it in Kansas
City to-day – not one. And there won’t be. We designed it ourselves and
we never repeat our models. We protect our customers. But come back
here.” (He led the way to a triple mirror at the back.) “You are the best
person to wear a coat like this – to get the best effect out of it. Let me try
it on you.”
And by the artificial light Hortense could see how really
attractively she looked in it. She cocked her head and twisted and turned
and buried one small ear in the fur, while Mr Rubinstein stood by,
watching her with not a little admiration and almost rubbing his hands.
“There now,” he continued. “Look at that. What do you say to
that, eh” Didn’t tell you it was the very thing for you? A find for you. A
pick-up. You’ll never get another coat like that in this city. If you do, I’ll
make you a present of this one.” He came very near.
“Well, I must say, it really looks smart on me,” commented
Hortense, her vain soul desiring it. “I can wear anything like this
though.” She twisted and turned the more, forgetting him entirely and the

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