"That depends entirely on what you mean to do with it, and how much you would give for it," answered the colonel, who would not have let her buy an imitation under any circumstances, but was far too kind-hearted to ruin the shopkeeper in her estimation.
"I rather liked it," was the answer. "It was for myself. There is something about the expression that pleases me. The lady looks so blindly happy and delighted with herself. It is a cheerful little thing to look at."
The colonel smiled.
"Will you let me give it to you?" he asked, putting it into her hand. "In that way I shall have some pleasure out of it, too."
Mrs. Harmon held it for a moment, and looked at him thoughtfully, asking herself whether there was any reason why she should not accept the little present. He was not rich, but she had understood from his first answer that the thing was not worth much, after all, and she knew that he would not pay an absurd price for it. Her fingers closed quietly upon it.
"Thank you," she said. "I wanted it."
"I will come back this afternoon and pay for it," said the colonel to the dealer, as the three went out of the shop together a few moments later.
During the little scene, young Harmon had looked on sharply and curiously, but had not spoken.
"How are those things made, mother?" he asked, when they were in the street.
"What things?" asked Mrs. Harmon, gently.