She wondered at the magnitude of this life and at the importance of knowing much in order to do anything in it at all.

Dread at her own inefficiency crept upon her.

She would not know how, she would not be quick enough.

Had not all the other places refused her because she did not know something or other?
She would be scolded, abused, ignominiously discharged.
It was with weak knees and a slight catch in her breathing that she came up to the great shoe company at Adams and Fifth Avenue and entered the elevator.

When she stepped out on the fourth floor there was no one at hand, only great aisles of boxes piled to the ceiling.