通往广场的路不止一条(More Than One Way to the Square)(3)

　　i drew a bold black and white butterfly pattern and took it to mrs. vidian. she knitted it into a sweater. the result, i thought, was wonderful. then came the test. i wore the sweater to a luncheon which people in the fashion business would attend. to my great pleasure, the sweater was noticed. in fact, the representative of a large new york store wanted 40 sweaters to be ready in two weeks. i accepted the order and walked out on a cloud of happiness.

　　my cloud disappeared suddenly, however, when i stood in front of mrs. vidian. “but it took me almost a week to knit that one sweater,” she said. “forty sweaters in two weeks? it is not possible!”

　　i was crushed to be so close to success and then to be blocked! sadly i walked away. all at once i stopped short. there must be another way. this stitch did take special skill. but surely there must be other armenian women in paris who knew how to do it.

　　i went back to mrs. vidian and explained my plan. she really didn't think it would work, but she agreed to help.

　　we were like detectives10, mrs. vidian and i. we put ourselves on the trail11 of any armenians who lived in paris. one friend led us to another. at last we tracked down 20 women, each of whom could knit the special stitch. two weeks later the sweaters were finished. and the first shipment from the new house of schiaparelli was on its way to the united states!

　　from that day a steady stream of clothes and perfumes12 flowed from the house of schiaparelli. i found the world of fashion gay13 and exciting, full of challenge and adventure. i shall never forget one showing which was really a challenge. once again father's advice helped me. i was busy getting ready to show my winter fashions. then just 13 days before the presentation the sewing girls were called out on strike. i found myself left with one tailor and woman who was in charge of the sewing room! i was as gloomy14 as my models and salesgirls. “we'll never make it,”one of them cried.

　　here, i thought, is the test of all tests for father's advice. where is the way out this time? i wondered and worried. i was certain we would have to call off the presentation or else show the clothes unfinished. then it dawned on15 me. why not show the clothes unfinished?

　　we worked hurriedly. and, exactly 13 days later, right on time, the schiaparelli showing took place.

　　what a showing it was! some coats had no sleeves; others had only one. many of our clothes were still in an early stage. they were only patterns made of heavy cotton cloth. but on these we pinned sketches and pieces of material. in this way we were able to show that what colors and textures the clothes would have when they were finished.

　　all in all, the showing was different. it was so different that it was a great success. our unusual showing caught the attention of the public, and orders for the clothes poured in.

　　father's wise words had guided me once again. there is more than one way to the square always.