Chapter 1
Many patterns of carpet lay rolled out before them on the floor—two of
Brussels showed the beginning of their quest, and its ending in that direction;
while a score of ingrains lured their eyes and prolonged the debate
between desire pocket-book. The head of the department did them
the honor of waiting upon them himself—or did Joe the honor, as she
well knew, for she had noted the open-mouthed awe of the elevator boy
who brought them up.