Didactic fiction; Dogs -- Juvenile fiction; Girls -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction; Orphans -- Juvenile fiction
"It is reduced to eight shillings, madam," said the girl, who was
almost as anxious to sell as they were to buy. "It is good cloth, a
real bargain."
"Then we must have it, mustn't we, brownie?" cried Miss Rose,
promptly. "It may not be as warm as a coat, but it certainly fits
her and suits her. Why, we have turned you into a brownie again,
Huldah! Are you pleased with your purchase?"
"Oh yes, miss! I think it is lovely, I like it better than any!"
gasped Huldah, excitedly. She could scarcely believe yet that she
was not in a dream, or that it could really be she, Huldah Bate, to
whom all this was happening.
The young attendant stooped to unbutton the cloak, to take it away
and wrap it in a parcel, but Miss Carew stopped her. "I think she
may as well wear it home," she said. "It is cold, and it will be the
easiest way of carrying it."
"Yes, madam. I will give you the bill."
When the stranger's back was turned, Huldah found her tongue.
"Oh, Miss Rose, isn't it lovely! It's so warm, I can feel it
already, and--and oh, I can't believe it is mine!"
"I am glad you like it, dear. Now get out your purse, and pay the
bill."
That was indeed a proud moment! From the depth of her pocket, and
from beneath the wonderful cloak, Huldah produced a small, rather
shabby purse, an old one of Miss Carew's, and from its pockets she
produced all her worldly wealth. Her fingers trembled so, she could
scarcely separate the coins, but at last it was all managed; and,
still in a maze of delight, she found herself walking out of the shop
behind Miss Carew, clutching her thin little purse, in which reposed
one solitary shilling, and proudly wearing her own purchase.
To have walked out in it between that double fire of staring eyes,
would have been an ordeal she could scarcely have endured, if it had
not been that her thoughts were more occupied with her shilling than
with herself, for with it she was going to buy something to take home
to Mrs. Perry, and what that something was to be was a matter for
grave consideration.
However, with Miss Rose's help, the money was at last laid out on
some tea and some biscuits, and, greatest treat of all, a smoked
haddock, to make a feast for the tea which was to crown the end of
that glorious afternoon.
The tea and the fish and some of the biscuits were for Mrs. Perry,
and some of the biscuits were for Dick, as his share of the
rejoicing, but for Miss Rose Huldah had nothing, and that was the one
cloud on that happy, wonderful day. It was rather a big cloud, too,
for she did long to do something for her, to show how grateful she
was, and the thought of it kept her very quiet and grave for a part
of the drive home.
"Are you tired, brownie?" asked Miss Rose, presently, noticing her
silence.
Huldah looked up with grateful, happy eyes. "Oh no, miss. I am too
happy to be tired! and it's lovely to feel the warmth of my cloak
coming in to my shoulders. I think it is so beautiful. Do you like
it, miss?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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