So Nancy went home again without her forty-two cents. She wept a little on the way. Here it was Saturday, and Flora expecting her money on the noon mail. But it did not come on the noon mail. It did not come until six o'clock at night, and Flora did not think of buying the basket that day.
After tea that night, about half-past seven o'clock, Nancy did something that she had never done before in her life. She went over to her Aunt Lucretia's without permission. Her mother had gone to one of the neighbor's. Flora was in the sitting-room reading a story-book. Nancy stole out of the front door, and hurried down the road.
"What are you over here again for, child?" Aunt Lucretia cried when she went in.
Aunt Lucretia and Henrietta were in the kitchen, sticking papers over the jelly tumblers.
Nancy hesitated, and blushed.
"What is it?" asked Aunt Lucretia.
"I—didn't know but—what—you might have got—that bill changed."
"Why, I never saw such an acting child! Can't you wait a minute? Henrietta, have you got any change?"
"Yes, ma'am," said Henrietta. And she got her purse, and they counted out forty-two cents. Twenty-two of them were in pennies.
"Now I hope you're satisfied," said Aunt Lucretia, sharply. "Did your mother know you came over here?"