inspection.

"That's certainly what madam calls a 'creation,'" said Cora.

"Who in the world would ever wear that?" asked Bess with a laugh.

"I expected to," unexpectedly replied a voice behind them. The
three girls turned quickly to confront Ida Giles. She had come in so
quietly that they had not heard her. Cora, Belle and Bess looked
dumfounded.

"And perhaps in the future," went on Ida in icy tones, "it would be
just as well to leave another person's hat alone."

"I beg your pardon," Cora managed to say, "We--er--we were
just--interested in motor hoods."

"And making fun of mine!" snapped Ida.

Louise had entered to attend to the new customer. Ida turned to
her:

"I wish to see Madam Julia!" she exclaimed. Outside Bess burst into
her full, hearty laugh.

Then the three motor girls made their escape.

"I thought I would choke in there!" she exclaimed.

"Lucky for you that Ida didn't take a hand in, helping you out in