The boy sallied forth and wandered about from one place to another, returning soon after nightfall.
“To-morrow you will have to go out lace-selling,” said his mistress, upon his entering the house.
“Yes, marm,” answered Alf, in a cheerful tone, “I’ll do my best.”
In the morning of the following day she brought down from the lumber-room a large tray filled with quantities of “edgings,” viz., the kinds of lace used for the bordering of caps, &c.; some braid and gimp, some lace articles—such as worked collars and undersleeves—and some lace of a superior quality, which, however, was English.
This latter kind, she told him, was called “driz” by the street sellers, and that he should offer it to ladies as rare and valuable lace smuggled from Mechlin, Brussels, and Valenciennes.
The braid and gimp, she said, was very little in demand, and the whole street-trade was now so indifferent that the only way a man could get a fair profit on what he sold was by “palming”—that is, giving short measure.
“Would you like to learn how to do it, Alf?” she inquired, and without waiting for an answer, she took a yard measure from the table behind, and cried, in a loud street voice:—
“Three yards a penny edging!” Then she measured three yards with her wand, and showed him how she “palmed” the lace by catching it in short with a jerk of the fingers.
“Let me try,” cried the boy, quietly, and in less than half an hour he palmed to perfection.
Young Purvis, when he had accomplished this important piece of manipulation, sallied forth.