“You walk fast,” said the man; “I could hardly overtake you. You were going to the town, were you not? well, I’ve a little job for you to do for me there.”
Mark signified how readily he would do it.
“You see these two bright sovereigns,” said the man, taking two yellow pieces from a heavily filled purse, and putting them into the hand of the boy. “I want these changed—you understand me; buy some trifle at two different shops—mark me, two shops not too near each other; and bring back the change in silver.”
“What trifles do you want?” said Mark, poising the coins upon his finger.
“Anything—gingerbread, or sugar-plums, if you like; only see that the change is right.”
Mark struck the two pieces against one another; he did so again, as if not satisfied with the sound. “Are you sure that these are good?” said he.
“What does that matter to you? put them in your pocket, and do as I bid you.”
“Forgive me,” replied the boy; “but I dare not.”
“Dare not! I did not know that you were such a coward. What are you afraid of—the police?”