"Why not?"asked the child.
"Why--why--it isn't a proper place.Some one might hear you.""Well,won't you let me get some candy now?If I knew what kind you liked,Mrs.Forbes,I'd get it.""I don't eat candy as a rule.It's not only extravagant,it's very unhealthy."The little girl smiled."How do you suppose your stomach knows what you put into it?"she asked."I guess you're just a little--bit--afraid,aren't you?"
"Odder than Dick's hatband!"quoth Mrs.Forbes again,mentally."Itake horehound drops sometimes,"she said aloud,"for a cold.""Can't you sneeze a little now?"asked Jewel,amusement twinkling in her blue eyes."I do want so much to go in here.""Don't tempt Providence by making fun of sickness,Julia,or you'll live to regret it,"returned Mrs.Forbes."I don't mind getting some horehound drops,but be careful now and don't spend too much.A little girl's money always burns in her pocket.""Yes'm,"returned the child dutifully,skipping up to the door of the shop and opening it.
Mrs.Forbes followed slowly,and once inside,fell into conversation with the girl of whom she bought the cough candy.This gave Jewel opportunity to buy beside her caramels one of the lovely yellow chickens,which she designed for a special purpose.
"Now don't you eat that candy before lunch.It will take away your appetite.It is nearly lunch time now,"said Mrs.Forbes as they left the store.