“I play every day. My uncle loves it, but my aunt doesn’t,” she answered naïvely.
“And you’re selling wood?”
“Yes, I must help a little.”
She made the assertion proudly, offering no excuse for her chosen trade.
“And this is all for sale?” indicating the wood.
“Yes,” said Jinnie, looking down upon it.
“I’ll take it all,” Theodore offered, putting his hand into his pocket. “How much do you want for it?”
The girl gave him a puzzled glance. “I don’t just know, but I wish––I wish I could give it to you without any pay.”
She moved a little closer and questioned eagerly:
“Won’t you please take it?”