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26 Tom Seven Years Odd.

 

 

“Don’t you think, sir,’ said the man, “ they
would be very heavy to carry ?”

Tom bent down, and tried to lift the jug
and basin in both his arms, but he could not.

“Suppose you were to choose something
else,” said the man—‘“just as pretty, but
lighter. Here is a vase with flowers on it.”

“It’s very nice,” said Tom; “but the roses
are not nearly so big, or like real ones.”

The man went away again, and brought
another vase with a bunch of tulips painted
on the centre.

“That will do!” cried Tom. “Thank you,
shopman. How much money is it? Re-
member, don’t touch the farthing; and I’d
rather you didn’t take any of the threepenny
pieces, please.”

The shopman only took away one half-
crown, so that Tom poured the rest back into
his purse. The vase was then wrapped up
carefully in brown paper, and tied with string,
and no one except Tom could have known
what was inside. He did not forget to say,
“Good morning, shopman,” before he went