“My goodness, but you’re getting extravagant, aren’t you? How do your parents manage to keep you?”
“I know Hidelberg’s is the most expensive place in town,” Helen admitted; “but I told you that for this once I’m splurging. It will never happen again, probably.”
“I was only teasing,” Nancy laughed.
Arm in arm the two girls left the department store. Just outside the door they met Emily Crandall. The girl was pale and deep circles were under her blue eyes and her face was drawn.
“Oh, Nancy Drew, I’m glad to run into you!” she cried when she saw the two girls emerge from the store door. “Oh, it’s just awful! On top of the loss of my jewels and all that means to me, the police are trying to fasten theft on Mrs. Willoughby! It’s too terrible! You will do something, won’t you, Nancy?”
Nancy promised again to do what she could. She tried to be encouraging, but she felt that her words hardly rang true. Then Emily said goodbye and Nancy and Helen made their way down the street to the exclusive Hidelberg shop.
They entered, and were at once taken in charge by a salesgirl. They were given chairs and after Helen had made her wants known, were treated to a mannequin parade.
“Maybe this place is going to be too expensive, after all,” Helen said to her chum when they were not being observed by the salesgirl. “I’d much rather dash in where the dresses are all on a rack and labeled ‘nothing over sixteen ninety-eight.’ ”
At last Helen Corning found a dress of pale blue chiffon which entirely pleased her. She inquired the price in a timid little voice and was delighted to find that it was not out of reach.