The Last Carolina Girl

Leah accompanies Eva Jane, Mary Ann, and Mrs. Griffin to Charlotte to help Eva Jane choose a dress for the debutante ball. Leah brings her letter to Jesse with her, hoping for an opportunity to post it in the mail without Mrs. Griffin noticing. Leah enjoys seeing the tall buildings as they drive into the city. Eva Jane encourages Mrs. Griffin to share details about her debutante ball, but Mrs. Griffin argues that she must focus on traffic.

Mary Ann eagerly shows Leah the elevator when the family reaches the department store. Eva Jane and Mrs. Griffin bicker about the correct size and style of dress; Eva Jane chooses many garments, piling them into Leah’s arms as she looks. Most dresses selected are too small for Eva Jane; the store clerk discreetly exchanges them for a larger size.

After she finds the perfect dress, Eva Jane encourages Leah to try on one of the dresses. Leah does so quickly but has difficulty recognizing herself in the fitting room mirror. She likes the way the dress looks and feels. Mrs. Griffin shouts for Leah not to get the dress dirty, and Leah quickly changes back into her house dress.