“Do you spend your money for candy, Julia?”
“Yes'm. Don't you like it?” Jewel lingered, looking at the pretty display. Easter had recently passed, and there were bright-eyed little yellow chickens that especially took her fancy.
“It isn't a question of liking it when people are poor,” returned Mrs. Forbes. “I'm astonished that your mother encourages you to spend money for candy.”
Jewel looked up quickly. “Did you think we were poor?” she asked, with disconcerting suddenness.
Mrs. Forbes hesitated. “Your mother is a dressmaker, isn't she?”
“Yes, she's just a splendid one. Everybody says so. We couldn't be poor, you know. She found out about God before I was old enough to talk, so you see all her poor time came before I can remember.”
The housekeeper glanced about her furtively. “Julia, don't you know you shouldn't use your Creator's name on the street!” she exclaimed, when she had made certain that no one was listening.
“Why not?” asked the child.
“Why—why—it isn't a proper place. Some one might hear you.”
“Well, won't you let me get some candy now? If I knew what kind you liked, Mrs. Forbes, I'd get it.”