"We will endeavor to get the watch back for her," replied Mrs. Gordon, as she seated herself at a table and wrote a few lines on a piece of paper. "Here, my child, is a receipt for your month's rent. When Dr. Flynch comes for the money, you show him this, and he will be satisfied;" and she handed her the receipt. Katy took it, and thanked the good lady, assuring her that her mother would certainly pay the money as soon as she got well. "My mother is poor and proud, just as the grocer said, and she don't ask any one to give her anything. I am going to earn some money myself, and I hope I shall be able to pay the next month's rent," added Katy, as she moved towards the door. "But the watch, mother?" interposed Grace. "If the little girl will come here this afternoon or to-morrow morning, we will take her to the mayor who will have the case attended to." "I will come any time, ma'am." "The mayor is my friend, and I will call at his house with you this afternoon at three o'clock." Katy could not but think the mayor had a great many friends, for there was Master Simon Sneed, and Mrs. Gordon, and she knew not how many more. She thanked the lady very warmly for her kindness, and promising to come at the time stated, she took her leave. She was followed to the door by Grace, who detained her there. "Katy, I am sure you are a very good little girl, and here is a dollar for you. It will buy something good for your mother." "I thank you very much, Miss Gordon. I am poor, but proud, like my mother," replied she, as a flush of shame mantled her cheek. "What a foolish little girl!" laughed Grace. "Take it; you will oblige me very much by taking it." "No, ma'am, I can't; my mother wouldn't own me if I should take money as a gift." "But you must take it, Katy; I shall be angry if you don't." The little girl looked up into her pretty eyes beaming with pity and love; and she could hardly resist the temptation to oblige her by accepting the gift; but since she had heard the story of her mother's life, she understood why she was so much prouder than other poor people; and as she thought of her grandfather in his fine house in the great city of Liverpool, she felt a little of the same spirit--she too was poor and proud. Besides, as Grace jingled the two half dollars together, there was a harmony in the sound that suggested a great heap of good things for her mother. And there was another powerful consideration that weighed with great force upon her mind. One of those half dollars would be a sufficient capital upon which to commence her candy speculation. It would buy ever so much molasses of the very best quality. As she thought of this, she was disposed, at least, to compromise with Miss Grace. "I cannot accept the money as a gift, but you may lend it to me, if you please," said Katy, after she had reflected a moment. "Just as you like," laughed Grace; "but I shall not feel bad if you never pay me."