"Buy yourself a mouse, my dear!" she said kindly.
"Oh, thank you, thank you!" Jackie answered. He had flushed with pleasure, but his blue eyes were lifted to her face wonderingly. "You said you hadn't any money to spend," he reminded her.
"I know I did, and I thought I hadn't," she replied, "but I've suddenly remembered that I can do without this penny. Now, are you going to have a white mouse or a pink one?"
"I've seen white mice," the little boy remarked thoughtfully, "but never pink ones. I wonder if there are really pink mice—the pink ones lock very pretty, don't they? I think I'll have a pink one."
He went into the shop and made his purchase, whilst Mrs. Winter waited outside. The girl who took his order offered him the mouse without putting it in paper.
"I want it wrapped up; please," he said, "I'm not going to eat it— not now anyway."
"Paper's so dear on account of the war that we've got to be careful of it," she told him. Nevertheless she put the pink mouse into a little paper bag. "There, my dear," she said, handing him his purchase, "will that do?"
"Oh, yes, thank you!" smiled Jackie. He took the bag and gave her his penny.
"Good afternoon!" she nodded.
"Good afternoon, miss!" the little boy answered politely, as he left the shop.