“No matter—ask her. And now, to show you that I am in earnest, here is thirty dollars for that bit of satire on womankind, which you may hand over to the first little girl that comes along. Ah! here is one now, looking meek and frightened. Little woman, would you like a doll?” The little girl thus addressed turned her great, brown eyes from the old man to the doll, shrinking back, and yet full of eager desire. “Is it for me?—for me?” she said at last, as the glorious creature was pressed upon her. “Please, don’t make fun of me!” “He isn’t making fun, indeed he isn’t, my little lady,” cried Georgiana, delighted with the whole proceeding. “I dare say he hasn’t any little girl of his own, and wants to do something nice by the little girl of somebody else. Take it in your arms, dear, and don’t forget the good gentleman when you say your prayers.” “I won’t, indeed, sir. I’ll put you into the long prayer, and the short one, too, special,” cried the little creature, dimpling brightly under her happiness, and huddling the great doll up in her arms as if she had been its mother. “Aunt, aunt, see here!” Away the little creature darted toward some woman, who was so mingled up with the crowd that her bonnet only could be distinguished. “There is one person made happy by your thirty dollars, sir,” said Georgiana, brightly; “to say nothing of those who will receive your money. Any thing more that I can show you? Here comes a couple of little boys barefooted, and looking so poor.” The old man turned toward the two boys, who had wandered away from some inner room, and were gazing around them with eager curiosity. Something in their faces seemed to strike him, for his countenance changed instantly, and he took a step forward to meet the children, who paused before the stall where Georgiana presided, lost in admiration. “What would you buy here, if you had plenty of money?” asked the old man, laying one hand on the elder lad’s shoulder. “If I had plenty of money?” repeated the boy, staring into the dark face bending over him. “I—I don’t know. I never had plenty of money.” “But you would like to buy some of these nice things?” “Oh! yes, I would.” “Well, what is there here that you like?” The lad took a swift survey of the brilliant articles arranged in Miss Halstead’s stall. “I’d buy one of them caps for grandma,” he said; “and that shawl, with the red and white border, for sister Anna.” “No, no! buy ’em a whole heap of candy, and cakes, and oranges, and peanuts,” cried the younger child, pulling at his brother’s coat. “Come here,” said the old man, in a tone of compassion, “let me look in your face.” The elder lad turned frankly, and lifted his eyes to those of the old man. That was a frank, honest young face, full of life and purpose, notwithstanding the pallor which spoke of close rooms and insufficient food.