176 The Little Minister

“You have deceived Nanny,” Gavin cried,
hotly, “and you have brought me here to deride
me. I will have no more to do with you.”

He walked away quickly, but she called after
him, “I am coming down. I have the money,”
and next moment a snowball hit his hat.

“That is for being cross,” she explained, ap-
pearing so unexpectedly at his elbow that he was
taken aback. “I had to come close up to you
before I flung it, or it would have fallen over my
shoulder. Why are you so nasty to-day? and,
oh, do you know you were speaking to yourself ?”’

“You are mistaken,” said Gavin, severely.
“J was speaking to you.”

“You didn’t see me till I began to sing, did

ous?

‘Nevertheless I was speaking to you, or rather
I was saying to myself what — ”

“‘ What you had decided to say to me?” said
the delighted gypsy. “Do you prepare your
talk like sermons? I hope you have prepared
something nice for me. If it is very nice, ] may
give you this bunch of holly.”

She was dressed as he had seen her previously,
but for a cluster of holly berries at her breast.

“1 don’t know that you will think it nice,”
the minister answered, slowly, “ but my duty —”

“If it is about duty,” entreated Babbie,
“don’t say it. Don’t, and I will give you the
berries.”

She took the berries from her dress, smiling
triumphantly the while like one who had discov-
ered a cure for duty ; and instead of pointing the
finger of wrath at her, Gavin stood expectant.