Once they arrived in the city, the dressmaker took Sofia's measurements and promised that by four o'clock the next day, the dress would be ready.
"I will work all night if necessary," she told her.
"Good, thank you," Sofia nodded. "It will be ready just in time for the ball."
"The fabric you've chosen is a bit difficult to work with, but I assure you, I won't leave you without the dress."
Sofia smiled at her and handed over the coins her grandmother had given her for the dress.
"Not yet," the dressmaker said, closing her open hand into a fist. "At the delivery. That's how it works here."
"Thank you very much," said Nanny.
Meanwhile, a mother and her two daughters entered the shop.
"We absolutely need to lengthen the two dresses of my daughters," the mother said without even greeting.
"I'm with other customers," the dressmaker replied. "I'll be with you shortly."
"Alright, but hurry up. The dresses are needed for tomorrow."
"To what address should I send your dress?" the dressmaker asked Sofia.
"To Mr. Scott's house," said Nanny.
"Are you guests at Mr. Scott's house?" the mother of the two girls interjected. "Will you be attending the opening of his library too?"
"I love reading," said Olga, one of the daughters.
"You don't need to say that here, you need to say it to him, tomorrow," her mother admonished.
"And I can play the piano," said the other daughter.
"And you, miss?"
"I want to become a surgeon."
They all burst into laughter, except for Nanny and the dressmaker.
"If all goes well, you'll become a dressmaker," said Nancy, the mother. "No offense."
"No offense, madam."
"Now we must go," said Sofia.
"One of my assistants will bring you the dress around four tomorrow. Pay him once you receive the dress."
"Thank you very much."
"Have a good day."
Nanny and Sofia left the shop with a certain bitterness in their mouths.
"Who do they think they are?!" Nanny said once outside. "I appreciate that you stayed calm and didn't react. I don't know what I would have done in your place."
"I would love to hear them both read and play the piano," Sofia said.
"Oh," Nanny smiled, "maybe we'll hear them tomorrow."
The two women got back into the carriage and returned to Mr. Scott's house.