t do it, I'm very
sorry; I would have paid you honestly, and have given you good bargains,
so good bye."

"Not so fast, Jack,--sit down, sit down, boy,--look about the shop and
see if you can find something that will suit you." Here Nanny communed
with herself aloud:--"Thirty-three shillings! that's a great deal of
money,--pay me honestly,--and good bargains! His mother called me an
old cat the other day;--I think they could be got cheaper, they always
cheat boys;--she'd be vexed to see him dressed clean at church;--honest
boy, I do believe;--a boy that wants to go to church must be a good boy.
Oh, dear me, it is so much money!"

"I'll work day and night to pay you, Nanny."

"And mind, Jack, I'm to have good bargains, and this piece of rope for
nothing; something paid every week."

"If I can earn it, mother, as sure as I sit here."

"Well, the old cat will do more for you, Jack, than your mother would.
You shall have the money; but, Jack, I must bargain for the things."

"Thank you, Nanny, thank you!" replied I, jumping off my seat with
delight.

"Well, we can do nothing to-night, Jack. Come to me on Monday, and if I
don't change my mind--"

"Change your mind!" said I, sorrowfully. "I thought you had promised!"

"Well, so I did--and--and I'll keep my promise, Jack. Come on Monday,
and as you can't go to church to-morrow, see if you can't pick up a
little money."

I did not neglect her injunctions, and was fortunate enough to be able
to bring her sixpence on the Monday morning. Nanny went with me to the
clothing-shop, haggled and fought until she reduced the articles to
twenty-eight shillings, and then they were ordered to be made and sent
to her house. I earned but little money that week, and more than once
Nanny appeared to be very unhappy, and repent of her kind offices; but
when Sunday came she was very cheerful; she washed me herself very
carefully, and then put on my clothes. I cannot express the delight I
felt at that moment; when Nanny said to me, as she placed the hat on my
head:--

"Well, Jack, I wouldn't have thought that you were such a handsome boy
as you are. Why, you may walk with your sister Virginia, and she will
have nothing to be ashamed of, pretty as she is. There, go and show
yourself; and, Jack, don't forget your promise to pay me back soon, and
give me good bargains!"

I repeated my promise, and hastened to the hospital to find Peter
Anderson. He did not know me when I ca