Tom buys Presents. 75

 

but 1 I's m tired of settling. I can’t settle what
to take. I don’t know what Richard and the
gardener would think the nicest.”

“ buy something useful,” said she—“ some-
thing that they can use.”

“Very well,’ said Tom. He was ready to
take anything.

“ Flere’s a nice strong pocket-knife,” said
she. “I think the gardener might like it.
He is sure often to want a knife.”

“Yes,” said Tom, quite pleased. “I'll take
that, shopwoman. I’m sure that would be
nicest. Perhaps he has not got one, or per-
haps his old one is worn out, or he may have
lost it, you know. I wonder I did not take
it when I passed this table a minute ago.
Please wrap it in paper and tie it with string,
shopwoman.”

She did so. He put down the money, and
carried it away. Tom wanted next to buy
some perfume for Richard. There were such
pretty little bottles, that looked full of light-
oreen and yellow wine; but his aunt said she
did not think Richard would care for per-