Chapter 13

           InDenvertheyfoundchic,modernstores.Theclothes,Julianathought,werenumbinglyexpensive,butJoedidnotseemtocareoreventonotice;hesimplypaidforwhatshepickedout,andthentheyhurriedontothenextstore.

           Hermajoracquisition—aftermuchtryingonofdressesandmuchprolongeddeliberatingandrejecting—occurredlateintheday:alightblueItalianoriginalwithshort,fluffysleevesandawildlylowneckline.InaEuropeanfashionmagazineshehadseenamodelwearingsuchadress;itwasconsideredthefineststyleoftheyear,anditcostJoealmosttwohundreddollars.

           Togowithit,sheneededthreepairsofshoes,morenylonstockings,severalhats,andanewhandmadeblackleatherpurse.And,shediscovered,thenecklineoftheItaliandressdemandedthenewbrassiereswhichcoveredonlythelowerpartofeachbreast.Viewingherselfinthefull-lengthmirrorofthedressshop,shefeltoverexposedandalittleinsecureaboutbendingover.Butthesalesgirlassuredherthatthenewhalf-brasremainedfirmlyinplace,despitetheirlackofstraps.

           Justuptothenipple,Julianathoughtasshepeeredatherselfintheprivacyofthedressingroom,andnotonemillimetermore.Thebras,too,costquiteabit;alsoimported,thesalesgirlexplained,andhandmade.Thesalesgirlshowedhersportswear,too,shortsandbathingsuitsandaterryclothbeachrobe;butallatonceJoebecamerestless.Sotheywenton.