When she entered the boarding-house, her cheeks were flushed with exercise, her eyes sparkled with a pleasant light, and her rare beauty, despite her plain attire, appeared to unusual advantage. She returned just in time to meet the boarders descending to breakfast. Her childish beauty did not fail to attract attention. Conscious of being observed, Helen blushed a deeper crimson, which added to the charm of her beauty.
“Hey! What have we here?” exclaimed Alphonso Eustace, the dashing young clerk, fixing a glance of undisguised admiration upon her embarrassed face. “A very Peri, by Jove! Deign to inform me, fair maid, by what name thou art known.”
So saying, he purposely placed himself directly in her path.
“Will you let me pass, sir?” said Helen, uneasily. “My father is waiting for me.”
“Your father! Then you live here. I am glad of that. We shall be well acquainted before long, I hope. Won’t you tell me your name?”
“My name is Helen Ford,” said the child, rather reluctantly, for the clerk did not impress her favorably.
“And mine is Alphonso Eustace. Let us shake hands to our better acquaintance.”
“I have both hands full,” returned Helen, who did not much relish the freedom of her new acquaintance.
“Then I will await another opportunity. But you don’t seem gracious, my dear. You must be very tired, carrying that heavy pail. Allow me to carry it for you.”
“I am not at all tired, and I would much rather carry it myself.”