"Now, wasn't it mean, Kitty, to call me a beggar, when I never asked her for the book?"
"I don't believe she meant to call you a beggar, Nelly," said Kitty. "It is just a saying people have; that is all."
"She needn't have said it to me, anyhow," said Nelly, not altogether pleased with what she thought a want of sympathy on Kitty's part.
"No; it wasn't polite. But Nelly, I wouldn't lay it up, if I were you. She is a real good-natured woman, after all. Don't you know how she used to give us flowers last summer? But what do you want a spelling-book for, Nelly?"
"I want to try and learn to read," said Nelly. "I thought if I had a book perhaps I could get some one to help me now and then."
"Why, yes; you could bring your book round here when you came with the milk, and I could tell you the words, you know, and then you could be studying them over between-times. But Nelly, how much money have you got?"
"Only ten cents. Won't that be enough?"
"It would buy a primer; but I don't think it will buy a primary spelling-book, which would be the best for you," said Kitty, dubiously. "But I know what you can do, Nelly. When you go to get your book, ask for a second-hand one. They have them, I know, for people are always changing; and I dare say you could get a nice book for your ten cents."
"I wish I had the name written down," said Nelly.
"I will ask Mrs. Powers to write it for you," said. Kitty. She found a pencil and a piece of paper, which she carried out to Mrs. Powers in the garden, and presently returned. "Here it is," said she, "all written out plain:—'Sanders's Primary Spelling-Book, second-hand copy.' Don't Mrs. Powers write a pretty hand?"