It was a miracle I didn't accidentally run over any of the urchins as they pranced joyfully in front of my moving horseless carriage. If I was to be their day's entertainment, then I was glad to be of service. Their mother, however, was a mite less enthusiastic. "Oh, you are back way too soon. I cannot possibly have the dress ready--there are too many pleats, yah?" "Yah--I mean, yes, I'm sure there are more pleats in it than there are in a polka band worth of accordions." Her blank look was not encouraging. "I understand," I said. "I'm not here for that dress. I'm here to buy your dress." The children giggled. "My dress?" she said. "Not the one you're wearing, of course, but another one--just as long as it's clean or only lightly worn. It's for me, in case you're wondering. And no, I'm not about to switch over to the horse-and-buggy side; I merely want to look the part for a special occasion. It just so happens though that the special occasion is today, which really limits my options. Fortunately, you and I are approximately the same size.
