MADEMOISELLE VISITS A SHOEMAKER'S.
Miss Parachute.—I wish to see some slippers.
Obsequious Shoemaker.—What sort, if you please, madam; bronze?
Miss P.—Oh, no; patent leather.
O. S.—What size, please?
Miss P.—I never can remember. Two-and-a-half, I believe.
O. S.—I'll see by your boot, if you will sit down here.
Miss P. (as he begins taking off her boot).—These boots are quite too large.
O. S.—Oh, of course; I merely want them as a guide.
Miss P.—I really don't know how I came to buy so large a pair.
O. S. (discovering the boots to be threes, and too short and narrow for the foot).—It is better walking-boots should be amply large.
Miss P.—But not so loose as these, certainly.
O. S.—It is better so.
Miss P.—The slippers must be much narrower.
O. S.—Yes, madam. (shows a pair.)
Miss P.—Oh, I want Louis Quinze heels!
O. S.—These, then, may suit. (shows another.)
Miss P.—You may try them, (catches sight of the size,) oh, horrors! I never wore threes-and-a-half in my life!
O. S. (who has been there before).—Different makes, you know, run differently.
Miss P.—Well, give me a make that runs the other way. Fancy wearing such a size as that!
O. S.—If you will allow me to try one on, you can tell if the style pleases you.
Miss P.—Oh, I couldn't even tell that in such a monstrous slipper!
O. S. (takes a three).—Here is one smaller. (fits it on with difficulty.)
Miss P.—No, that does not feel right; it's too—too—
O. S.—Too narrow, perhaps?
Miss P.—N-no, not too narrow. Too snug across the instep; my instep is so very high.
O. S.—Perhaps a Spanish-arch instep would suit your foot better.
Miss P.—I'll try one, then.
O. S. (brings a Spanish arch, three-and-a-half).—Is that more comfortable?
Miss P.—Yes, I think it is—it still draws a little across the top.
O. S.—I think a shoe a trifle wider would relieve that.
Miss P.—Oh, no; I always use a very slender last.
O. S.—These high heels, too, throw the strain on the instep.
Miss P.—I can't endure low ones. It's my instep. I always have difficulty fitting that.
O. S. (fitting another).—How do you find that?
Miss P.—That is better (stands up.) Yes; that is better in the heel, I think—but the toe is quite too wide.
O. S.—That is odd; it's the same size as the other.
Miss P.—Why, it positively bulges!
O. S. (fits another).—This is narrower.
Miss P.—Oh, that does not feel comfortable at all!
O. S. (in despair, slips on again the first shown).—Try this, madam.
Miss P.—That fits better; yes, and looks decidedly better in the back.
O. S. (adroitly).—It's a very elegant little slipper.
Miss P.—Isn't it long, rather?
O. S.—I think not, madam.
Miss P.—Why, see, the foot only comes to there!
O. S.—Yes; but after you have walked in the slippers, you will find the high heels will throw the foot forward.
Miss P. (still prancing her foot in and out before the mirror.)—I don't quite like that square look there.
O. S.—A small, neat bow would take that away.
Miss P.—Oh, I can't endure bows; they disfigure the foot dreadfully.
O. S.—It is a matter of opinion.
Miss P.—I believe I like this pair better than any. I think, perhaps, I will take them.
O. S. (cheerfully).—They are certainly an elegant fit.
Miss P.—Well, you may send them to Mrs. Peter Parachute, 9999 Madison Avenue.
O. S. (buttoning her boot).—Yes, madam, (takes bill, and goes for change.)
***
Miss P. (who has been looking about in his absence).—Let me see those bronze slippers there in the window.
O. S. (showing them).—Eight dollars, madam.
Miss P.—Have you them without embroidery?
O. S.—Yes, madam. (finds a pair.)
Miss P.—I think I'll try one. (re-seats herself.)
O. S. (takes off her boot).—This is your size.
Miss P.—Oh, no; really, it's much too tight—over the instep.
O. S.—Is this better?
Miss P.—That's too wide.
O. S.—Try this.
Miss P.—Oh, that's too wide across the toe!
O. S.—Here is another.
Miss P.—That feels well enough; but bronze slippers only look well with bronze-silk stockings.
O. S. (relieved).—They look much better certainly.
Miss P.—You may send the patent-leather ones that I have selected, and I'll come in another day for the bronze.
O. S.—Very well, madam. (sotto voice) I hope I'll be out!
