truth of Allie's assertion in
regard to my brothers.

While the children had been talking, we had been gradually walking on
towards the desired haven,--the corner where the German florist had his
tiny store; and presently we came to it. The little glass enclosure was
one mass of vivid green, and brilliant, glowing color; for Johnny was
remarkably successful in the treatment of his plants, and they always
wore a thrifty, healthy aspect, delightful to behold.

Without, just at the side of the door of entrance, hung the sign
described by Allie; and Daisy at once drew our attention to it.

The "German" legend ran thus:--

"Goot rost benuts ish incite, nein sents a quoort.
Shtep in unt py."

The English translation followed:--

"Good roost peanuts is inside, nine cents a quart.
Step in and by."

Bessie and I were inwardly amused, but did not let it appear to the
admiring children. Allie, however, had her own misgivings as to the
absolute correctness of the sign, and said, doubtfully,--

"I suppose the German must be all right, because Jim says that is the
way Johnny talks; but the English is not spelled quite right, is it,
sister Amy?"

"Not altogether," I answered; "but perhaps it attracts more attention
than it would do if it were quite correct, Allie, and that, you know,
is the object of a sign or notice."

"Yees," said Allie, doubtfully, lingering behind a moment to scan the
sign as I opened the door, and still inclined to criticise; "ye-es, but
somebody might laugh if it is not spelled quite right."

"That is of no consequence so long as it does not hurt business," I
said, shamelessly indifferent to the orthographical merits of the case.
"Come in, Allie, we must not keep the door open too long."

At the farthest end of the crowded little cubby-hole,--all the more
crowded, of course, for the accommodation which the good-hearted German
had afforded to Jim's beneficiaries,--sat the little deformed Matty,
behind her stand, on which were displayed a tempting pile of freshly
roasted peanuts, and various bright, new measures. Outside, on the
street, could be seen Tony, grinding away at his revolving roaster; for
the day was so exceptionally lovely, that there could be nothing in the
air to injure him, and he doubtless preferred its freshness, and the
brilliant sunshine, to the presumably dark and stuffy quarters of Mrs.
Johnny.

[Illustration: "AT THE FARTHEST END