, downright. I know, as well as if I see it, how
she'd flash up, and how angry she'd be."

"Why should she?" Harry asked.

"That's what I doan't know, lad, but I know she would be. I suppose it
comes of her being a lass, but it beats me altogether. Why shouldn't
she take it? other lasses take presents from their lads, why shouldn't
Nell take one from her friend? But she wouldn't, I'd bet my life she
wouldn't, and she wouldn't say, 'No, and thank you,' but she'd treat it
as if I'd insulted her. No, it can't be done, lad; but it's a pity, for
I should ha' liked to see her look nice for once."

Not satisfied with his inability to solve the question Jack took his
mother into his confidence.

Jane Haden smiled.

"Noa, Jack, I don't think as how thou canst give Nell Hardy a dress. She
is a good quiet girl and keeps herself respectable, which, taking into
account them she comes from, is a credit to her, but I don't think thou
could'st gi' her a gown."

"But why not, mother?" Jack persisted. "I might gi' her a pair o'
earrings or a brooch, I suppose, which would cost as much as the gown."

"Yes, thou might'st do that, Jack."

"Then if she could take the thing which would be no manner o' use to
her, why couldn't she take the thing that would?"

"I doant know as I can rightly tell you, Jack, but there's a
difference."

"But can't you tell me what is the difference?" Jack insisted.

"Noa, Jack, I can't, but there be a difference."

Jack seized his candle with a cry of despair, and ran upstairs. He had
solved many a tough problem, but this was beyond him altogether. He was
not, however, accustomed to be baffled, and the next day he renewed the
subject, this time to Nelly herself.

"Look here, Nell," he said, "I want to ask you a question. It is a
supposition, you know, only a supposition, but it bothers me."

"What is it, Jack?" she said, looking up from the ground, upon which as
was her custom she was sitting with a book while Jack sat on a gate.

"If I was to offer you a pair of gold earrings."

"I wouldn't take 'em," the girl said rising, "you know I wouldn't, Jack;
you know I never take presents from you."

"I know, lass, I know. We'll suppose you wouldn't take it, but you
wouldn't be angered, would you?"

"I should be angered that you had spent money foolishly," the girl said
after a pause, "when you knew I shouldn't take it, but I couldn't be
angered any other way."

"Well, but if I were to buy you a h