34 Tom Seven Years Old.

 

walk wherever he chose outside the houses.
He did not stop till he came to the first shop-
window. It was a china-shop, with all sorts
and shapes of china inside. “Lom saw one
jug and basin which had beautiful pictures of
red roses and green leaves painted on them,
as large as real ones.

“How mamma would like that!” thought
he. “She’s so fond of flowers! I must go in
and carry it away.”

He pushed open the door, and was just
going to pull out the beautiful jug and basin,
when a man came up, and asked what he
wanted.

“T want these, shopman,” said Tom, point-
ing to them. ‘Mamma is so fond of flowers.
. am sure she would like them.”

The man lifted the jug and basin out of
the window. .

“ How much money must | pay for it, shop-
man?” asked Tom. “I’ve got a purse full
of money in my jacket pocket.”

/ He did not answer, but went away and
_ called another man, who was very tall indeed,