ery
personal turn the subject had taken, "I shouldn't think it matters in
the least. Both are equally suitable."

At that moment, the lady caught sight of Eloquent edging, edging up the
side of the counter, ever nearer to this astonishing vision.

"Here's somebody who can tell us," she exclaimed. "I'll explain to
him. . . . I'm buying suits for three little boys--Sunday suits, for
church and Sunday school, you know--I want them plain and serviceable
so that by and bye they won't look funny for school--_you_ know; well,
would they like coats and waistcoats, or a Norfolk--which do you think?"

"Coats and waistcoats," said Eloquent promptly, his eyes still glued to
her face.

"Why?" asked the lady.

"Because you can take off your coat, and _then_ you're in your
shirt-sleeves."

"But aren't you in your shirt-sleeves when you take off a Norfolk?"

"No," said Eloquent, "_then_ you're in your shirt."

The lady laughed. Mr Gallup laughed. The assistants, who had not
heard, for Eloquent spoke very low, sniggered sympathetically, and the
other customers frowned.

"That settles it," said the lady, "and I'm very much obliged to you.
I'll have the three little grey suits with coats and waistcoats. Poor
little chaps, their mother died just a fortnight ago, and they've
nothing tidy."

"My mother's dead," Eloquent announced abruptly.

The lady's eyes had been so soft, her face so tender and full of pity
as she said, "poor little chaps," he felt a sudden spasm of jealousy.
He wanted her to look at him like that.

He did not see his father's start, nor the momentary pained contraction
of his cheerful features.

Eloquent's eyes were fixed on the lady's face, and sure enough he got
what he wanted.

"I'm so sorry," she said simply, and she looked it; she had turned her
kind eyes full upon him, eyes wide apart and grey and limpid.

He edged still nearer to her; so near that he stood upon her white
dress with his dusty little boots, and still he stared unblinkingly.

The young lady looked puzzled. Why did the child regard her so
fixedly? She suddenly awoke to the fact that everyone in the shop was
looking at her. Even Mr Gallup, on the other side of the counter,
seemed suddenly stricken by inertia, and instead of putting up the
little suits in paper, was staring at the pair of them.

Then Eloquent was moved to explain.

"I've never seen anybody look like you before," he said gravely, "and I
like watching you."