"Then he must have gone to heaven, I suppose," said Eddy. He looked soberly into the old clerk's eyes. "Thank you for the molasses-balls," he said. "I meant to pay for 'em, but I don't know just when I'd have the money, so I guess it's better for you to give them to me. Mr. Anderson won't mind, will he?" "No, he won't, for I shall put fives cents into the cash-drawer for them," replied the old clerk, with dignity. "I wouldn't want to have you take anything that Mr. Anderson wouldn't like," said Eddy. "I shouldn't," replied the old clerk, going back to his place behind the counter, as a woman entered the store. Eddy looked back as he went out, with a very sweet expression. "The first five-cent piece I get I'll pay you," he said. He had popped a molasses-ball into his mouth, and his utterance was somewhat impeded. "I thank you very much, indeed," he said, "and I'm sorry your boy died." "Have you just lost a boy?" asked the woman at the counter. "Twenty years ago," replied the clerk. "Land!" said the woman. She looked at him, then she turned and looked after Eddy, who was visible on the sidewalk talking with Madame Griggs, and her face showed her mind. Madame Griggs had waited on the sidewalk until Eddy came out of the store. Now she seized him by the arm, which he promptly jerked away from her. "When will your folks be home? That's what I want to know!" said she, sharply. "They'll be home to-night, I guess," replied Eddy. "Then I'll be up after supper," said Madame Griggs. "All right," said Eddy. "You tell 'em I'm comin'. I've got to see your ma and your pa." "Yes, ma'am," replied Eddy. He raised his little cap as the dressmaker flirted away, then he started on a run down the street, sucking a molasses-ball, which is a staying sweet, and soon he left the travelled road and was hastening far afield. Chapter XXV