The Spectacle Man.
CHAPTER FIRST.
FRANCES MEETS THE SPECTACLE MAN.
| "The bridge is broke, and I have to mend it, |
| Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do—" |
sang the Spectacle Man, leaning his elbows on the show-case, with his hands outspread, and the glasses between a thumb and finger, as he nodded merrily at Frances.
Such an odd-looking person as he was! Instead of an ordinary coat he wore a velvet smoking-jacket; the top of his bald head was protected by a Scotch cap, and his fringe of hair, white like his pointed beard, was parted behind and brushed into a tuft over each ear, the ribbon ends of his cap hanging down between in the jauntiest way. It was really difficult to decide whether the back or front view of him was most cheerful.
"Will it take long?" Frances asked, with dignity, although a certain dimple refused to be repressed.