"She might," he agreed laughingly. "We will have her put in paper, please."
The assistant turned aside, and in a minute brought forward a cardboard box, into which she carefully laid the doll, then, after wrapping the box in paper and securely fastening the parcel with a string, she handed it across the counter.
"There, my dear," she said, as the little girl took possession of her present, "your doll will be perfectly safe now."
"Oh, thank you, ma'am!"
"Thank you," Jim said, as he paid his half-a-crown. "You are very good to take so much trouble!"
"Not at all, sir! I am only too pleased!"
The young woman, who was weary with standing all day, and had been feeling decidedly cross and disheartened, seemed considerably cheered by the sale of the doll. She watched Jim and his companion leave the shop with interested eyes.
"What an odd couple!" she thought. "Fancy him spending his money on that street child! Well, he must have a kind heart!"
Meanwhile Jim Blewett was saying good-bye, and refusing to listen to the thanks which the delighted little girl was trying to put into words.
"Run away home," he said, "and take care of your dollie. I hope she'll be a good child, and give you no trouble!"