“I know it, Jimmy; but they can get plenty to work at that price, so it won't do for me to complain. I shall be very glad if I can get steady work, even at that price.”

Jimmy said no more, and Mrs. Hoffman, gathering up her bundle, went out.

She had a little more than half a mile to go. This did not require long. She entered the large door, and advanced to the counter behind which stood a clerk with a pen behind his ear.

“How many?” he said, as she laid the bundle upon the counter.

“Six.”

“Name?”

“Hoffman.”

“Correct. I will look at them.”

He opened the bundle hastily, and surveyed the work critically. Luckily there was no fault to find, for Mrs. Hoffman was a skillful seamstress.

“They will do,” he said, and, taking from a drawer the stipulated sum, paid for them.