178 Zom Seven Years Old.

 

“There is money to buy a dinner. I
brought it. I meant it to be for to-morrow’s
dinner; but if you haven't had any to-day,
perhaps you would rather get it to-night
instead ? Would you ?”

The little girl did not answer, but ran
straight to her father.

‘“ Look, look, father!” she cried, delighted,
showing him the money. He seemed as much
pleased, for he turned his pale face to Tom,
and said—

“Thank you, young gentleman; thank you
kindly. It will come in very useful, I can
tell you. ‘Times are hard just now.”

Tom turned quite red with pleasure.

“T worked for it,” hesaid. “It is my very
own money. She can get a dinner for to-
night, if she likes; I meant it for to-morrow,
but I don’t care which, only I wanted her to
have a dinner. I have one every day at one
o'clock.”

“Bless you, sir,” said the poor man, “ It
will get us more than one dinner—that it

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will