I took the brightest he had, and gave it an extra shine on the sleeve of my gown.
''What are you going to do, miss?'' he asked.
''Never mind. Stay here. And if anyone comes, give a whistle.''
I stood and straightened my skirt; then I went out from behind the hedge and walked smartly over to the gate of the cottage, as if I
had come along the path. The little girl turned her head and saw
me.
''All right?'' I said. ''You''ll be Janet. I just met your ma. Look here,
what she gave me. A sixpence. Ain''t it a nice one? She said, "Please give this sixpence to my little girl Janet, and tell her to please go quick to the shop and buy flour." Said she forgot, just now. Know what flour is, don''t you? Good girl. Know what else your ma said? She said, "My girl Janet is such a good little girl, tell her she''s to have the half-penny left over, for sweets." Ah. Like sweets, do you? So do I. Nice, ain''t they? But hard on your teeth. Never mind. I dare say you ain''t got all your teeth yet. Oh! Look at them dazzlers! Like pearls on a string! Better nip down the shop, before the rest come up. I''ll stay here and mind the house, shall I? Don''t that sixpence shine! And here''s your little brother, look. Don''t you want to take him with you? Good girl