“You mustn’t spend a penny for anything you can get along without!” she whispered. “I’m sorry you bought that orange.”
“Why?” queried the boy, surprised. “Doodles said the other day he’d like one.”
“You asked him.”
“Yes,” admitted Blue. “But it’s good for him—he don’t eat much anyway.”
“I know,” sighed the mother, and stopped.
“What’s up?” demanded the boy.
“’Sh!”
“He can’t hear! He’s talkin’ to the bird.”
“Well,” she softened her voice, “I haven’t said anything—and they’ve kept it pretty whist; but we’re ordered out on strike to-morrow noon, unless the company come to our terms—and they won’t!”
“Whew!”