The lip of Master Simon slowly curled, till his face bore an expression of sovereign contempt. He rose from his seat, and fixed his eyes rather sternly upon the little candy merchant, who began to think she had made a bad mistake, though all the time she had intended to do a kind act. "What have I done, Katy, that you should insult me? Do you think I have sunk so low as to peddle candy about the streets?" said he, contemptuously. "Do you think I have sunk very low, Master Simon?" asked Katy, with a pleasant smile on her face. "Your business is very low," he replied, more gently. "Is that business low by which I honestly make money enough to support my sick mother and myself?" "It would be low for me; my ideas run a little higher than that," answered Simon, rather disposed to apologize for his hard words; for Katy's smile had conquered him, as a smile oftener will conquer than a hard word. "You know best; but if I can do anything for you, Master Simon, I shall be very glad to do so." "Thank you, Katy; you mean right, but never speak to me about selling candy again. I think you can help me." "Then I will." "I will see you again when I get my plan arranged. In the meantime, if you happen to meet my friend the mayor, just speak a good word for me." "I will;" and Katy left him. CHAPTER XIV. MASTER SIMON SNEED MAKES A MISTAKE. Contrary to the expectations of Katy and her mother, Ann Grippen returned at noon with her tray empty, having sold the whole two dozen sticks. "Well, Ann, how do you like the business?" asked Katy. "First rate. Here is twenty-four cents," replied Ann; and it was evident, from her good-natured laugh, that she was much encouraged by her success. "You may give me sixteen; the other eight belong to you." "I think I can do something at it," added Ann, as she regarded with much satisfaction the first money she had ever earned in her life. "You can, if you work it right; but you must be very gentle and patient; you must keep yourself clean and----" "Well, I guess I know all about that," interrupted Ann, who did not like this style of remark. "Katy," said her mother, who was sitting in her rocking-chair, by the fire. "What, mother?" "Come here a moment." Katy crossed the room to her mother, to hear what she wished to say. "You must not talk to her in that style," said Mrs. Redburn, in a tone so low that Ann could not hear her. "Why not, mother? I was only telling her how to do." "But you speak in that tone of superiority which no one likes to hear. You are but a child, as she is, and she will not listen to such advice from you." Katy wondered what her mother would have thought if she had heard what she said to Ann the day before. Yet she was conscious that she had "put on airs," and talked like a very old and a very wise person. "I suppose you would like to go out again this afternoon," resumed Katy, joining her assistant again. "I don't care if I do."