e," the man
said. And they were very handsome. But the price was seven dollars! It
would take her whole stock in hand.

"Can't you give me a pair that will cost less?" Matilda asked, after a
pause of inward dismay.

"Those are what you want," said the man. "They fit, to a T; you cannot
better that fit."

"But you have some that don't cost so much?"

"They would not look so well," said the shopman. "We have boots not
finished in the same style, for less money; but you want those. That's
the article."

"Please let me see the others."

He brought some to shew. They were of less fine and beautifully dressed
stuff, were more coarsely made, and less elegant in their cut. Matilda
saw all that, and hesitated. The man looked at her.

"There's a pair here," he said, turning back to his drawer, "that I can
let you have for five dollars;--just as good as that first pair."

He produced them and tried one on. It seemed to be quite as he had
said. Matilda could see no difference.

"That will do," said he, "if you like them. They are exactly as well
made as that first pair; and of the same leather."

"Then why are they only five dollars," Matilda asked, "while the others
are seven?"

"Fashion," said the man. "Nothing else. You see, those are wide at the
toe; that was the style worn last winter; these first, you see, are
very narrow at the toe. There is no demand for _these_ now; so I can
let you have them low. If you like these, I will let you have them for
four and a half. Seven dollar boots."

Matilda felt a pang of uncertainty. That would save her two and a half
dollars of her seven, and she would have pennies for street girls and
change for other objects. But Judy would look at those square toes, and
think that Matilda was from the country and did not know, as she said,
what was what. The thought of Judy's eyes and smile was not to be borne.

"I will take the others," she said hastily to the shopman--"the first
you tried on."

"I thought so," said the man. "Those are what you want."

Matilda paid, and Norton ordered them sent home, and the two left the
shop.

"If that had been a good shoemaker," said Norton, "he would have fitted
you in half the time. We have been half an hour there."

"O that is my fault, Norton," said Matilda; "because I could not decide
which fashion to have."

"Sure you have got the right one now?" said Norton.

"I got the newest."

"That's the right one," said Norton, as if the quest