Nelly could not but allow that Miss Lambert had deserved her punishment; but that did not prevent her from being very sorry. How strange it did seem! She had always envied Miss Birch's young ladies, as she saw them walking to church every Sunday; and she had thought, how easy it would be for any girl to be industrious and good who had so many things to help her. And now here was Miss Lambert, who she had believed must be the best and happiest girl in the world, grieving her father's heart, wasting her time, and doing what was really mean and cruel. Nelly began to think that there was not so much difference, after all,—that every lot in life must have its temptations, and that it would be, perhaps, as easy for her to be good and please God in Mrs. Kirkland's store as in Miss Birch's school.
"Well, Nelly, I suppose you will like to have your money before Christmas, so as to lay it out to the best advantage," said Mrs. Kirkland, that evening. "I dare say you have spent it all, in imagination, ten times over."
"I thought I should like to buy a shawl for granny," said Nelly, as Mrs. Kirkland handed her a roll of bills. "You know there is the worsted for the hood to come out, as well as the doll which Kitty broke."
"I have charged you with the worsted, and the doll was mended as good as new," said Mrs. Kirkland. "Count your money, and see if it is right. Always count money the moment you receive it; and then, if there is any mistake, it can be corrected directly. Well, is it right?"
"No, ma'am," replied Nelly "you have given me a great deal too much. You only owed me thirty dollars in all, and you have given me forty-eight."
"It is all right," said Mrs. Kirkland. "I have been reckoning your wages at six dollars a week for the last six weeks. Your services are worth that to me, and there is no reason you should not receive their value, as much as if you were ten years older. It is everything to me to have a girl whom I can trust."
Nelly did not know what to say. She had never dreamed of having so much money, all her own, at one time. Now, if Miss Powell would only go with her to choose granny's shawl, she felt that her happiness would be complete.
Miss Powell was very ready to do so, and they set out together. A warm and handsome plaid shawl—good enough for any lady, Nelly said—was purchased for ten dollars; and Nelly bought a good, serviceable, plaid woollen frock and a pair of stout boots for herself, leaving the subject of a shawl for future consideration. Twenty dollars and some shillings did Nelly lay out that evening, besides a dollar for a little blue-and-gold volume of poems, for which she had heard Miss Powell express a wish a few days before. Then, with the rest of her money safe in her pocket, and loaded down with her bundles, she hastened home,—as proud and happy a little girl as could be found in Milby. Then came the display of her purchases for herself, of which granny approved; and mysterious hints of something else to be sent to the store in the morning,—at which granny laughed, having also her own little secret. The photograph was admired and exclaimed over, even to the contentment of Nelly herself; and she went to bed, almost too tired to stand.
Next day was Christmas-eve,—and what wonders it brought! What a throng of customers! What merry and happy faces! What calculations! What wonderful purchases! What presents and pleasures to Nelly herself! Mrs. Kirkland gave her a fine large basket, such as she had often wished for, to carry her dinner and her work back and forth,—and an emery and scissors besides. Miss Powell gave her a new prayer-book, with her name on the side, in gilt letters. Miss Alice Kirkland sent her a nice blue merino dress,—better than new, Nelly declared,—which, as Alice was very tall, and Nelly short for her age, admitted of being made over to great advantage. Finally, late in the day, a black man brought in a large parcel, which he delivered to Nelly with a flourishing bow.
"Mr. Grayson sends you this, miss, with his regards and de compliments of de season, and wishes you a merry Christmas, ma'am."