Chapter Two“It’s no use, Dawkins,” Bertilla sighed, as they came out of the fifth shop where they had tried to find suitable gowns.
“I told her Ladyship there wouldn’t be anythin’ to be bought at this time of the year,” Dawkins replied sharply.
She was, as Bertilla knew, getting tired, and as a result she became more irritable with the saleswomen every time they were unable to find what Bertilla required.
It was not the fault of the girls who in the big shops were always underpaid and invariably at this time of the year were overworked by the rush of customers.
They did their best, but it was impossible in London in December to find thin gowns suitable for the tropics.
Bertilla was too small for the majority of gowns, which were designed for tall women who could carry a bustle with gr
