The woman had never left the States, but she was happy to hear my tale. We chatted pleasantly, and I made quick work of the heavy bags. When I had stuffed the last one into the shelf, she pushed the empty flat into the next room, disappearing behind racks of dry goods. She was still away when the chime rang and a bushy-bearded man with rosy cheeks stepped in.

“I’ll have a tin of Old Bart’s, thanks.”

I realized I was still behind the counter, and looked around quickly for the shopkeeper. “Oh, I’m not—I don’t . . .”

“It’s pipe tobacco, darling. It’s just behind you, there—the one with the yellow label.”

I pulled down a tin with a robust sailor printed on the front and laid it on the counter. “The shopkeeper will be back out in a moment, sir,” I said.

“Oh, you’re doing just fine.” The man smiled and began counting out coins.

The old woman finally reappeared, brushing her hands off on her apron. “Oh, good morning, Mr. Stapleton!” she called, pleasantly. “Tin of Bart’s?”

I slipped out from behind the counter and let the woman conduct the transaction. “I like your new girl,” said Mr. Stapleton before he left. He gave me another friendly smile as he opened the door. “Don’t worry, darling, you’ll get the hang of it. Just keep that pretty chin up.” And then he was off, the door jingling shut behind him.

“What was that about, then?” asked the shopkeeper.

“Just a misunderstanding.”

“Oh, well. I can’t thank you enough for the help, young lady,” she said, clicking shut the cash register. “Now, what was it you needed?”

“Well, actually—if you have any other work—that is, if you might be hiring . . .”

She gave me a pitying smile. “Sorry, dear. You might try the post office—they get pretty busy over there—but I’ve got all the help I need.”

I looked briefly to the shelves behind her, sagging slightly under the weight of the merchandise, and wiped a bead of sweat from my forehead. “You’re quite sure you couldn’t use just a little help?”

She sent me on my way with a wrapped piece of fudge for being such a good girl, which did nothing for my self-confidence as a mature adult. I picked up my suitcase and, following Mr. Stapleton’s advice, did my best to keep my pretty chin up as I plodded farther into town.