THE LAST PENNY. 7 17

 

and to give it up, costs more than a light
effort.

The penny was between his fingers, and
he took a single step toward the alehouse-
door; but so vividly came back the image
of little Lizzy, that he stopped suddenly.
The conflict, even though the spending of
a single penny was concerned, now became
severe: love for the child plead earnestly,
and as earnestly plead the old habit that
seemed as if it would take no denial.

It was his last penny that was between
the cobbler’s fingers. Had there been
two pennies in his pocket, all difficulty
would have immediately vanished. Having
thought of the orange, he would have

bought it with one of them, and supplied —

his pipe with the other. But, as affairs
now stood, he must utterly deny himself,
or else deny his child.
For minutes the question was debated.
“T will see as I come back,” said Claire
at last, starting on his errand, and thus,
for the time, making a sort of a compro-

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