CONTRASTS
A girl not much bigger than Inez, nor dressed much better, came out of the basement door of Mother Beasley's, wiping her lips on the back of her hand.
"Hullo, Ine!" she said to the flower-seller. "Who you got in tow? Some more greenies."
"Never you mind, Polly," returned Inez. "They're just friends of mine—on their way to Washington Park."
"Yes—they—be!" drawled the girl called Polly.
"Hi! that's all right," chuckled Inez. "I t'ought I'd make ye sit up and take notice. But say! wot's good on the menu ter-day?"
"Oh, say! take me tip," said Polly. "Order two platters of Irish stew an' a plate o' ham an' eggs. Youse'll have a bully feed then. Eggs is cheap an' Mother Beasley's givin' t'ree fer fifteen cents, wid the ham throwed in. That'll give youse each an egg an' plenty of stew in the two platters for all t'ree."
This arrangement of a course dinner on so economical a plan made Bess open her eyes, while Nan was greatly amused.
"How strong's the bank?" asked Inez of Nan, whom she considered the leader of the expedition. "Can we stand fifteen cents apiece?"
"I think so," returned the girl from Tillbury, gravely.