"Yes, I know," said Josie hastily, having a great dread of allusions which might end in weeping. "But I don't mean that. I mean that he is so very good—don't you think he is almost a little too good sometimes? He has been wanting to get himself a microscope for ever so long, so that he could show me things in it. He said it would make a cheese-mite look ever so big, and a needle like a great spear. And now he has gone and spent the money on beggars."

"Not beggars, I suspect. Leveson likes to hunt out the poor and needy who do not beg."

"But you know what I mean. O dear, this seam is dreadfully long."

"Poor Josie—always in some trouble."

"I don't think there's any trouble so bad as a great long seam without any end."

"If it really had no end, I half think I could agree with you."

"Well, this hasn't—hardly," said Josie. "I can't see any as I work, and my back aches, and my fingers are so cold."

"Nurse will take you out for a walk presently."

"I like that, only nurse won't take me where I wish. She is so fond of seeing all the shops, and I don't care for them unless I have something to buy. But I haven't a penny left."

"Shall I send you to the toy-shop as a little treat, if you finish your seam nicely?"