About one o’clock they turned toward the city once more, and Star said, with a sigh of pleasure:
“Uncle Jacob, I believe there never was such a perfect day before, and I’m sure I never enjoyed a birthday more. You were very kind to plan this pleasure for me.”
The old gentleman’s eyes twinkled. Her delight, her bright, animated face were such a joy to him.
“If I had only been rich as I used to be, I should so like to have made you some nice present to-day—a watch, for instance,” he said.
“You gave me something last night which I value far better—your confidence,” Star said, softly. “I should like a watch,” she added, after a moment, “and I mean to have one some time. When I have earned it, you shall go and select it for me, if you will. But what have you done with your own, Uncle Jacob? You had a very nice one when I first met you, and I remember seeing it on you after the wreck.”
“Watches and I have not had much in common during the last two years,” he answered, evasively; and she thought perhaps he had been obliged to sell it since he became poor.
All at once the carriage stopped in a quiet street up town, which, Star noticed, was lined on both sides with elegant brown-stone dwellings.
“What are we stopping here for?” she asked.
“A good woman whom I used to know lives here, and I thought, as we were in gala attire to-day, I would like to stop and make a call, and—introduce my Star to her,” Mr. Rosevelt said, preparing to alight.
He helped Star out, and together they went up the marble steps.