Chapter Three.
Cheddington Fair.
Meanwhile Pennie’s plan did not make much progress. The china-house on the school-room mantel-piece stood ready for contributions, with the slit in its roof and the label on its front door; it looked very well outside, but she feared that it was poorly furnished within, though she dropped all her own money into it with great regularity. This fear became certainty soon, for Dickie came to her one day with a penny clasped in her fat hand, and said:
“Dickie will put it into the house.”
Pennie hesitated, for she knew it was the price of real hard work.
“Does Dickie really want to give it?” she asked.
Dickie nodded, gazing up at the money-box with large solemn eyes.
“You’re sure you wouldn’t rather buy hard-bake?” persisted Pennie.