‘If I can find a new one in my purse every day,’ was Mother’s answer.
So Sally ran for her little broom, and never before had the old doorstep known such a sweeping as Sally gave it that day.
Fortunately, Mother had a new penny with which to pay Sally, and the shining little coin was carefully put away in a small silver box that stood on Father’s desk.
Evening came and Sally went down to the corner to watch for Father.
‘It is for a present for Aunt Bee,’ said Sally, as, walking up the street, she told him all about earning the penny. ‘But will I grow rich very fast, do you think, on a penny a day?’
‘Not very fast,’ answered Father, ‘but couldn’t you do some work for me, besides?’
‘Oh, I could,’ said Sally, squeezing Father’s hand very tight. ‘What can I do, Father? What can I do for you?’
‘Well,’ said Father thoughtfully, standing now in the doorway and looking down the flagged path to the street, ‘it seems to me that Tony always forgets the weeds among the flowers along either side of this walk. If you think you could pull them out, I will give you ten cents toward Aunt Bee’s present.’
‘Oh, Father, Father!’ cried Sally, swinging joyfully on Father’s hand, ‘shall I begin now? Shall I get down before dinner and begin to pull the weeds?’
‘Wait until to-morrow morning,’ suggested Father.