Diamond Duo Read Online Free PDF Page B

dismissive hand in Sarah’s direction. “Make way for these good people.”
    Henry jumped as if poked with a hatpin. “Yessuh, Mr. Stilley,” he mumbled then shuffled aside, pushing Sarah along with him, his eyes shifted to the floor.
    Sarah gritted her teeth and turned away, too late to hide her disgust from Henry.
    He winced as if he’d been struck and ducked his head again.
    Mr. Stilley took hold of the wooden crate, pulled it from Sarah’s side of the counter, and presented it to the three breathless women with a flourish. “You heard right, ma’am, but only half the story. It’s not just chocolate I have here. There’s genuine imported Swiss in this box, and at a reasonable price.” He pushed the container a bit closer to the lively one. “Go on, then. Help yourself.”
    “Imported Swiss?” the swanky lady squealed, in a manner not fit for civilized company. “Perfect!” She rummaged, looking for the biggest of the lot, took a sizable wedge in each hand, and turned to the girls behind her. “Would you look at this? Have you ever seen as much pure pleasure?” She handed a chunk to Magdalena then tossed one to little Bertha, who juggled to keep from dropping it. “I do love this delightful concoction,” she cooed at Bertha. “Don’t you, honey?”
    Bertha stared with big eyes at the wrapped brown block. “I’ve never tried it.” She brought the confection closer for a sniff. “But it smells divine.”
    Sarah could smell it just fine from where she stood. All the stirring of the box had raised a rich, pungent cloud that hovered in the room, setting Sarah’s mouth to watering. She tasted sweetness at the back of her throat.
    The woman gasped. “You say you’ve never tried it?”
    Magda leaned forward and stared at Bertha. “Come now, dear. Of course you have.” She let go an uneasy laugh. “You’ll have Annie thinking we’re tight-fisted hicks.”
    Bertha gave a determined shake of her head. “I’ve had it mixed in milk before and once in cake. But never like this.” She turned it over in her hands, leaving smeared spots beneath the clear wrapper where her fingers gripped. “What’s it like, Annie?”
    At first the woman named Annie looked at Bertha as though she didn’t believe her. Then she spun around to the wooden box and set to scooping up sweet-smelling hunks with both hands. “There’s a remedy for this cruel injustice, my dear. Never fear. You’re about to be enlightened.”
    She unloaded the bundle of candy onto the counter in front of a beaming Mr. Stilley before reaching for one more piece. “There. That should just about do it. Now what do I owe for this child’s education?”
    Sarah had never seen Stilley with such a big smile. He reached behind him, producing a tablet and a fat leaded pencil. “Very good, madam. Will that be all?”
    Annie nodded. “Yes, I believe it will.”
    The eager man bent over the pad, ciphering figures so fast Sarah waited for smoke to rise from his fingers; then he pushed the paper forward.
    Without flinching, Annie reached for the reticule stashed at her side and pulled out more money than Sarah would see in two years’ time. After counting out what she owed, Annie pulled the wrapped pieces toward her and asked Mr. Stilley for something to tote them in.
    He smiled and shook out a flour sack. “Here we are. Allow me to wrap them for you.” He opened the mouth of the sack and started to load her purchase, but she reached to stay his hand.
    “Just a minute, if you please.” She waved her finger over the mound until she decided which one she wanted. “Ah, yes! This one will have no use for your bag, good sir.” She turned and flashed a smile with teeth as white as Henry’s. “Will it, girls?”
    The three of them laughed together, acting so silly over a fool piece of candy that it set Sarah’s teeth on edge.
    Annie took her bundle from Mr. Stilley and turned with a flourish. “Shall we go, ladies? We need to find a discreet spot and