"I have nothing to wear," said Nelly.
"That is sad, certainly. Well, Nelly, you and I have had a nice talk together. Will you tell me your name and where you live?"
Nelly gave the information, and the gentleman set it down in his pocket-book. Then he drew from his pocket two small pieces of money.
"See here, Nelly," said he, as he laid them in her hand, one by one. "This ten-cent piece you may spend as you please; but this other larger piece is an Irish coin, made a great many years ago. That is for a keepsake to remember me by. Keep it, and let me see that you have it safe the next time I meet you."
"I'll never spend it, the longest day I live," said Nelly, earnestly. "I'll tie a string in it and wear it round my neck."
"There's a good girl! And what will you do with the other? But never mind," he added, kindly, seeing Nelly hesitate. "It is yours, to do what you like with. I dare say you will make a good use of it."
Nelly had already decided what use she would make of her ten cents, but she did not like to tell Mr. Lambert. She had made up her mind that she would buy a first-book and try to learn to read. She walked soberly along, driving the cow before her, till she reached her own door.
Mrs. Ryan's anger, always very short-lived, had altogether vanished; and she received Nelly with her usual warm welcome as she saw the cow safe and sound.
"And where did ye find the crater, dear? Sure ye've been away a long time, and you having nothing to eat all the day."
"She was 'way out beyond the colleges, granny. I sat down to rest, and, the first I knew, there she was standing right over me. And oh, granny, a grand gentleman gave me these!" pulling out the silver pieces, which she had carried, for safety, in her mouth. "He says this one was made in Ireland, oh, ever so many years ago; and I am to keep it for a keepsake. But this one is mine to spend. May I have it to spend as I like, granny?"