brought
forward a lady, dressed in a silk morning-wrapper, who beckoned her
to stop. The woman lifted the heavy, tray from her bead, and placing
it upon the door-step, sat wearily down.

"What's the price of your strawberries?" asked the lady, as she came
to the door.

"Ten cents a box, madam. They are right fresh."

"Ten cents!" replied the lady, in a tone of surprise, drawing
herself up, and looking grave. Then shaking her head and compressing
her lips firmly, she added:

"I can't give ten cents for strawberries. It's too much."

"You can't get such strawberries as these for less, madam," said the
woman. "I got a levy a box for them yesterday."

"Then you got too much, that's all I have to say. I never pay such
prices. I bought strawberries in the market yesterday, just as good
as yours, for eight cents a box."

"Don't know how they do to sell them at that price," returned the
woman. "Mine cost nearly eight cents, and ought to bring me at least
twelve. But I am willing to take ten, so that I can, sell out
quickly. It's a very hot day." And the woman wiped, with her apron,
the perspiration from her glowing face.

"No, I won't pay ten cents," said the lady (?) coldly. "I'll give
you forty cents for five boxes, and nothing more."

"But, madam, they cost me within a trifle of eight cents a box."

"I can't help that. You paid too much for them, and this must be
your loss, not mine, if I buy your strawberries. I never pay for
other people's mistakes. I understand the use of money much better
than that."

The poor woman did not feel very well. The day was unusually hot and
sultry, and her tray felt heavier, and tired her more than usual.
Five boxes would lighten it, and if she sold her berries at eight
cents, she would clear two cents and a half, and that would be
better than nothing.

"I'll tell you what I will do," she said, after thinking a few
moments; "I don't feel as well as usual to-day, and my tray is
heavy. Five boxes sold will be something. You shall have them at
nine cents. They cost me seven and a half, and I'm sure it's worth a
cent and a half a box to cry them about the streets such hot weather
as this."

"I have told you, my good woman, exactly what I will do," said the
customer, with dignity. "If you are willing to take what I offer
you, say so; if not, we needn't stand here any longer."

"Well, I suppose you will have to take them," replied the
strawberry-woman, seeing that there was no h