Chapter Three
Hattie’s feet were coming up in blisters. A hundred at least, she was sure, and she could hardly walk for the pain. How wretched of her shoes, first to force her to choose them and then to so punish her obedience! She hobbled home as carefully as she was able and took them off at once, hurling them into a corner with some vehemence.
‘I call that a shocking betrayal!’ she informed them, an admonishment they took meekly enough, for they ventured no reply.
She would have to choose another pair, and the thought made her sigh, for the rest were far too lively of hue for wandering about the town. But she had not time to visit Verity Wilkin’s shop for a more sober set, and she did not dare to trust herself there besides, for who could tell what manner of concoction she would end
