"I didn't know it," said Mills. "I am a poor blind man. All places are alike to me."
"Then your boy should know better. Nothing for you to-day."
Frank and his companion left the store.
In the next they were more fortunate. A nickel was bestowed upon the blind mendicant.
"How much is it?" asked Mills, when they were on the sidewalk.
"Five cents, sir."
"That's better than nothing, but we ought to do better. It takes a good many five-cent pieces to make a dollar. When you see a well-dressed lady coming along, tell me."
Frank felt almost as much ashamed as if he were himself begging, but he must do what was expected of him. Accordingly he very soon notified the blind man that a lady was close at hand.
"Lead me up to her, and say, Can you spare something for my poor, blind uncle?"
Frank complied in part, but instead of "poor, blind uncle" he said "poor, blind man." Mills scowled, as he found himself disobeyed.