"I've been out with h'Arthur. I'll make up the fire in a second!"
She was not much longer, and then, a few minutes later, sallied out to take her aunt's knitting to one of the City shops. Mrs. Perkins warned her not to be out long, and Peggy sped along the busy streets, racking her brains as to how and where she could try on her untidy little head the stiff snow-white cap that she had bought.
The parcel was delivered, and she received two shillings in payment, which she carefully tied in a corner of a red handkerchief round her throat. Then she retraced her steps homewards.
On the way her eyes lighted on a heavily laden dust-cart in front of her. Something glittered among some rotten cabbages. Peggy's eyes were sharp. She saw that it was a piece of broken looking-glass.
"The very thing for you, Peggy," said she. "Now if you gets that, you'll be in luck indeed!"
She approached the dustman with all the assurance of a London child.
"Hi, mister, jest shy me that piece of glass! I wants it badly."
The man looked at her and it. Then he laughed. "It'll show you no beauty," he said, with a chuckle.
"No," said Peggy seriously, "but it'll keep my hats and bonnets straight on my 'ead."
He came to a standstill. Then with his shovel, he drew out the piece of glass and presented it to her.