'Don't go in for a minute,' said Ben; 'I want to speak to you.'
'All right, grandfather; but I must have a kiss of Bessie first. Bessie!'
The girl ran into the shop at his call, and nestled in his arms for a moment.
'There! there!' exclaimed old Ben, taking Bessie's hand gently and kindly. 'Go inside, Bess, my dear. That's all George wanted with you. We'll be in presently.'
Bessie went into the parlour, and George's heart was like a nest from which the dearly-loved bird had flown. That little embrace, with Bessie, warm and soft and tender in his arms, contained such exquisite happiness as to be painful.
'I'll not keep you two minutes,' said Ben Sparrow; 'come to the door, so that we may not be heard.'
They went to the shop-door, and into the street, which they paced slowly as they conversed.
'As I was sitting inside by the fire, just now, George,' resumed Ben, 'there came into my mind something which I think I ought to speak of before you go away. It brought back old-time memories, too. You see, my dear boy, I am an old man, and there's no telling what may happen. It is a comfort to me that Bessie will have a good man for a husband--for I believe you to be good, and--and a man, George!'
'Indeed, Mr. Sparrow, I will do my best. It will be my happiness to make her happy.'
'I believe it will be, George, and that's why I'm glad she will be yours. I have nothing to give her, George, nothing. I am so poor that I don't know which way to turn sometimes to pay little pay little bills.'