CHAPTER I

ANTICIPATION


"I've been round all the sales," said Marie, "hunting and hunting. My
feet are tired! But I've got a lovely lot of things. Look! All this
washing ribbon, a penny a yard. And these caps--aren't they the last
word? Julia, aren't they ducks? I thought I'd have my little caps all
alike, flesh-pink tulle."

"When'll you wear them?" asked Julia hardily.

"When do other people wear them?" retorted Marie, rather confused.

"Have you ever worn things like this?"

"Well," said Marie, "perhaps not. But I've been saving up two years for
it, haven't I? And if a girl can't have pretty things in her trousseau,
when can she have them?"

Julia sighed and looked. There was a little clutch at her heart, but
she went on sturdily:

"All you girls going to be married! I don't know what you expect! I
know what you'll get. You seem to think a husband's a cross between
Romeo and a fairy godmother. Well, you'll find it's different. You all
imagine, when you say good-bye to your typewriter, or the showroom, or
whatever line you're in, to marry on an income not so very much bigger