"I like her," said Nelly. "She spoke real kind when the other lady looked at me so scornful. But I had rather be in your class than any one's. Oh, I will try real hard to learn," said she, earnestly, and then added, hopefully, but rather doubtfully, "Do you think I could ever earn money enough to buy a frock?"
"Oh, yes; if you are industrious, and learn to work quickly and neatly. Come; we will go now and buy your new book."
How happy Nelly felt when the new, clean spelling-book, with its nice print and pretty pictures, was put into her hands,—all her own, the first she had ever owned, except a few toy-books her granny had given her! Miss Powell asked the clerk for a sheet of wrapping-paper, and covered the book neatly for Nelly, who could hardly believe in her own happiness.
"We will stop here a minute," said Miss Powell, pausing at a druggist's, where Nelly had often lingered to admire the pretty bottles in the window.
"What can I give you to-day, Miss Powell?" asked the clerk behind the counter.
"A piece of pumice-stone, and the cheapest nail-brush and tooth-brush you have which are good for any thing," answered Miss Powell; "and please charge them to my charity-fund."
Nelly had no idea that these things were meant for her, till Miss Powell put them into her hand and showed her how to use them. "Now, Nelly, you will have no excuse for not keeping your work clean and your breath sweet. Remember, one of the first things necessary towards 'being somebody,' as you say, is personal neatness and cleanliness. Don't you perceive that if your hair had been smoothly brushed and your dress clean and whole, your clothes might have been ever so cheap and poor, but that lady would never have thought of calling you a ragamuffin?"
"I thought about that, myself," said Nelly.
"And I must tell you another thing, Nelly. Mrs. Kirkland will not want to have you come about the store or work for her unless you take pains to look nice. You can easily mend the frock you have on, and ask your grandmother to wash and iron it, and mend that rent in your hat; and then you will look quite respectable."
"I don't know very much about mending," said Nelly, doubtfully.