ridiculously low." She took the bill from her dresser table and handed it to him.
Dudley did not agree with her that the total was ridiculously low. He was on his feet, firmly now, and he was determined not to borrow money. Yet he hated himself for disappointing her.
"This is more than we can afford at present, dear, I'm afraid. Suppose you keep the gown you have on and wait a little while longer for the others." Carmelita looked at him in amazement, eyes narrowed.
"But I've bought all three of these gowns. Can't we charge the others and pay for them soon?"
"I don't believe in charge accounts. We've threshed that all out before."
"I can't take them back."
"Yes, you can. Simply tell them that you've found you don't like them—any excuse at all." He tried to be as gentle as possible but he wasn't succeeding too well, he realized. Carmelita hated to be humiliated. Tears were starting in her eyes. She sat down on the bed and refused to speak to him for several minutes, while he sank down beside her and, putting an arm around her shoulder, sought to mollify her.
"I should like to give you everything in the world, Carmelita," he said earnestly. "You
