The gentleman put the hat on the forefinger of one hand, and twirled it slowly round with the other, while Bessie looked on, rather aggravated.
“Give it to her, George; aren’t you ashamed to tease her?” said the young lady.
“What will you give me for it?” asked he.
“I’ll give you ‘thank you,’ sir,” replied the child.
“Nothing else?”
“No, sir, nothing else,” answered Bessie, with as much dignity as any young lady could have worn.
He felt the silent reproof of the child’s manner; and, ashamed of having teased her, he handed her the little hat, saying, almost without intending it,—
“I beg your pardon.”
“I am very much obliged to you, sir,” she said, now smiling again. “I was ’fraid it would be spoiled ’fore I could call some one to pick it up.”