A pile of calico was heaped in wild masses like avalanches in one
corner, rapidly diminishing under the measurements of Gilbert, who
looked as if he took thorough good-natured delight in the frolic.
Brown, inodorous materials for petticoats, blouses, and trowsers were
dealt out by the dextrous hands of Genevieve, a mountain of lilac
print was folded off by Clarissa Richardson, Lucy was presiding
joyously over the various blue, buff, brown, and pink Sunday frocks,
the schoolmistress helping with the other goods, the customers--some
pleased with novelty, or hoping to get more for their money, others
suspicious of the gentry, and secretly resentful for favourite
dealers, but, except the desperate grumblers, satisfied with the
quality and quantity of the wares--and extremely taken with the
sellers, especially with Gilbert's wit, and with Miss Durant's ready,
lively persuasions, varied to each one's taste, and extracting a
smile and 'thank you, Miss,' from the surliest. And the presiding
figure, with the light on her sunny hair, and good-natured, unfailing
interest in her countenance, was at her central table, calculating,
giving advice, considering of complaints, measuring, folding--here,
there, and everywhere--always bright, lively, forbearing, however
complaining or unreasonable her clients might be.
Mr. Dusautoy went home to tell his Fanny that Mrs. Kendal was worth
her weight in gold; and the workers toiled till luncheon, when
Albinia took them home for food and wine, to restore them for the
labours of the afternoon.
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