Jane was particularly taken with Jacqueline's alternative suggestions for colors.

"Something a little warmer, I think," Jacqueline said. "The blues might be lighter and more subdued. And if it were up to me, the cream might be just a, bit more golden."

Shelley pulled out yet more paint chips from her notebook. "Like these?" she asked. "I think you're right."

Jane nudged Shelley. "The waitress is waiting. We ought to order before she becomes more annoyed. It's crowded, and she wants to get us moving along."

"I think we've sorted it out satisfactorily," Shelley said graciously, putting little marks on the back of the paint samples and stowing them away. "We're really grateful for your ideas."

They all studied their menus and ordered salads, except for Henrietta, who ordered a burger, cooked medium rare, with fries.

Then the real purpose of the meeting arose.

"How did both of you choose to do such unusual jobs?" Jane asked.

Jacqueline and Henrietta smiled at each other. Jacqueline said, "You can't imagine how often

we're asked this. We both grew up with fathers who were carpenters and naturally developed an interest. I decided to go to trade school instead of college, and Henrietta did so as well. We met at the trade school."

"I was a year ahead of Jacqueline," Henrietta put in, "and already doing several small jobs the trade school set up for me. Furniture, mainly. Little Mission-style tables and chairs. Since we were the only women there except one of the teachers, we naturally got to know each other. I asked Jacqueline to help me with the finishing work. I have a talent for design, but Jackie has the eye for color."

"We've worked together ever since," Jacqueline said with a smile. "But this is the biggest job we've gotten so far. It's really challenging, and Bitsy's giving us free rein to use our skills."