Page 14 (1/2)

"If you please I'd rather pay for the flowers," I cried, flushing as he

held on by the tie with one hand, and thrust the sixpence back in my

pocket with the other

"Dessay you would," he replied; "but I told you before I' to Cocker Didn't know

Cocker, I suppose, did you?"

"No, sir"

"Taught 'rithmetic Didn't learn his 'rithhaaet home and

count your strawberries"

"Yes, sir, but--"

"I say, what a fellow you are to but! Why, you're like Teddy, oat,

I once had No, no! No money Welcome to the fruit, ditto flowers,

boy This way"

He was leading , and it

annoyed me that he would hold me by the end of my tie, the more so that

I could see Shock with a basket turned over his head watching ain, --lots spoils"

"Thank you, sir," I said diffidently, "but--"

"Woa, Teddy," he cried, laughing "There; that'll do Look here, why