"Can't Tommy go and stand in the shop? If any special customers come in I will attend to them."
"No, Tommy can't. He has a headache and is lying down upstairs. You must oblige me this time, Susy. You can sit up a little longer to-night to finish your lessons if you are much interrupted while I am away."
"You are sure you will not be more than an hour, mother?"
"Oh, certain."
"And I suppose in any case I may shut up the shop at seven o'clock, mayn't I?"
"Shut the shop at seven o'clock!" said Mrs. Hopkins. "You forget that this is Wednesday. We always keep the shop, except the post-office part, open until past nine on Wednesdays; such a lot of people come in for odds and ends on this special night. But I will be back long before nine. Don't on any account shut the shop until I appear."
Susy, feeling cross and miserable, all her bright hopes dashed to the ground, took a couple of books and went into the shop and sat behind the counter. The days were getting short and cold, and as the shop door was opened there
was a thorough draught where she was sitting. Her feet grew icy cold; she could scarcely follow the meaning of her somewhat difficult lessons. No customers appeared.
"How stupid I am!" thought the little girl. "This will never do."
She roused herself, and bending forward, propped her book open before her. Presently she heard the clock outside strike seven.