"He said this was two dollars and the grey fourteen shillings," said Ellen. "Is the grey fourteen shillings?" inquired the old gentleman. "I think not, sir," answered Mr. Saunders; "I believe not, sir--I think it's only twelve--I'll inquire, if you please, sir." "No, no," said the old gentleman, "I know it was only twelve--I know your tricks, sir. Cut a piece off the blue. Now, my dear, are there any more pieces of which you would like to take patterns to show your mother?" "No, sir," said the overjoyed Ellen; "I am sure she will like one of these." "Now shall we go, then?" "If you please, sir," said Ellen, "I should like to have my bit of merino that I brought from home; mamma wanted me to bring it back again." "Where is it?" "That gentleman threw it on the floor." "Do you hear, sir?" said the old gentleman; "find it directly." Mr. Saunders found and delivered it, after stooping in search of it till he was very red in the face; and he was left, wishing heartily that he had some safe means of revenge, and obliged to come to the conclusion that none was within his reach, and that he must stomach his dignity in the best manner he could. But Ellen and her protector went forth most joyously together from the store. "Do you live far from here?" asked the old gentleman. "Oh no, sir," said Ellen, "not very; it's only at Green's Hotel in Southing Street." "I'll go with you," said he, "and when your mother has decided which merino she will have, we'll come right back and get it. I do not want to trust you again to the mercy of that saucy clerk." "Oh, thank you, sir!" said Ellen, "that is just what I was afraid of. But I shall be giving you a great deal of trouble, sir," she added in another tone. "No, you won't," said the old gentleman; "I can't be troubled, so you needn't say anything about that." They went gaily along--Ellen's heart about five times as light as the one with which she had travelled that very road a little while before. Her old friend was in a very cheerful mood too, for he assured Ellen, laughingly, that it was of no manner of use for her to be in a hurry, for he could not possibly set off and skip to Green's Hotel, as she seemed inclined to do. They got there at last. Ellen showed the old gentleman into the parlour, and ran upstairs in great haste to her mother. But in a few minutes she came down again, with a very April face, for smiles were playing in every feature, while the tears were yet wet upon her cheeks. "Mamma hopes you'll take the trouble, sir, to come upstairs," she said, seizing his hand; "she wants to thank you yourself, sir." "It is not necessary," said the old gentleman, "it is not necessary at all;" but he followed his little conductor, nevertheless, to the door of her mother's room, into which she ushered him with great satisfaction.