"A distant relative of Mrs.—er—Jelks. I'm taking charge of the shop during her absence. Well, miss," turning to Nell, "have you chosen a doll yet?"
"I think I'll have this one." She seized recklessly upon a particularly ugly specimen.
"That's not such good valley for your money as this lady with the golden locks, madam."
"I'll look about a little longer," she declared demurely.
"Certainly, madam!"
He turned again to the bewildered but now convinced urchin.
"Is it something for yourself you want?" he inquired blandly.
The boy shook his head with an air of deep mystery.
"Whom for, then? If you will tell me, I can help you to choose, you know."
He hesitated, glanced sharply at Denis's face, and suddenly blurted out excitedly:—