It was necessary to buy her an outfit of clothes, and this problem worried me a good deal. I hardly knew the names of the things she required. I believe now that I had absurd ideas as to the quantity and consistency of women's garments. I was afraid that she would not know what to buy; but, as the morning wore away, I realized that her mental faculties were not dimmed in the least. She observed everything, clapped her hands joyously as a child at the street sights and sounds, turned to wonder at the elevated and at the high buildings. I ventured, therefore, upon the subject that was perplexing me. "Jacqueline," I said, "you know that you will require an outfit of clothes before we start for your home. Not too many things, you know," I continued cautiously, "but just enough for a journey." "Yes, Paul," she answered. "How much money shall I give you, Jacqueline?" "Fifty dollars?" she inquired. I gave her a hundred, and took ridiculous delight in it. We entered a large department store, and I mustered up enough courage to address the young woman who stood behind the counter that displayed the largest assortment of women's garments. "I want a complete outfit for--for this lady," I stammered. "Enough for,"--I hesitated again--"a two weeks' journey." The young woman smiled in a very pleasant way, and two others, who were near enough to have overheard, turned and smiled also. "Bermuda or Niagara Falls?" asked the young woman. "I beg your pardon?" I inquired, conscious that my face was insufferably hot. "If you are taking _madame_ to Bermuda she will naturally require cooler clothing than if you are taking her to Niagara Falls," the young woman explained, looking at me with benevolent patience. And seeing that I was wholly disconcerted she added: "Perhaps _madame_ might prefer to make her own selection." As I stood in the centre of the store, apparently a stumbling block to every shopper, Jacqueline flitted here and there, until a comfortable assortment of parcels was accumulated upon the counter. "Where shall I send them, _madame_?" inquired the saleswoman. There was a suit-case to be bought, so I had them transferred to the trunk and leather-goods department, where I bought a neat sole-leather suit-case which, at Jacqueline's practical suggestion, was changed for a lighter one of plaited straw. After that I abstained from misdirecting my companion's activities. And everybody addressed her as _madame_, and everybody smiled on us, and sometimes I reflected miserably upon the wedding ring, and then again smiled too and forgot, watching Jacqueline's eager face flushed with delight as she looked at the pretty things in the store.