he forenoon, when she put a five-shilling piece in my hand,
and said, "That's from me, to help you to pay your debt to old Nanny.
But that's not all, Jack; I've coaxed the doctor (not that he required
much coaxing, to do him justice), and here's two half-crowns from him,
which, I believe, will go about as far as my five shillings. Now, Jack,
you look very happy; so, just out of gratitude, run as fast as you can,
and make poor old Nanny happy, for she moans over her generous fit, and
wonders all day long whether you will ever pay her again."

I had listened all this while to Mrs. St. Felix, but I was so moved by
her kindness and generosity that I could not speak. I had received money
for services performed, and I had obtained it from Nanny as a loan, to
be repaid with interest; but so much money, as a gift, had never entered
into my imagination. I could not restrain my feelings. I dropped my face
on the counter to conceal the tears which escaped.

"I can't say 'thank you,' as I wish, indeed I can't," said I, as I
looked up at her.

"Why, you foolish boy, you have said thank you," replied the widow; "and
now run away, for I must leave the shop a minute."

This assistance made me redouble my exertions, and in three months I had
repaid the whole. The last portion which was due I received from
Virginia. She knew how much I paid off every week; and when on Sunday I
told her that I had only one and sixpence owing, she ran upstairs, and,
when she came down again, put the sum into my hand. She had been saving
up all she could coax out of my mother ever since I had first obtained
the clothes; and great indeed was her delight when she gave me the
money--she kissed me, and began to dance, although it was Sunday, and
then she proposed that we should walk together to old Nanny's, and close
the account. We found the old woman sitting on her steps; the door was
open, but the shop shutters were up. On the Saturday night I had paid
her two shillings, so that she did not expect to see me. Virginia put
the one and sixpence in her hand, saying, "Now brother has paid you
all."

"Yes, darling, he has," replied old Nanny; "but then he promised--"

"I know I did," interrupted I; "and I will keep my promise. I promised
you good bargains."

"You're an honest boy, Jack, and what's more strange, your sister isn't
a spoiled girl; but that's not her mother's fault. My dear, if it was
not Sunday you would be able to see all the pretty things in