She was surprised, therefore, when about a quarter of an hour after John's departure Violet called to her in a low, quiet voice,—
"Aunt Lizzie, is the flower-shop far from here?"
"No, my darling; it is only just round the corner."
"I mean the stall where Fritz buys the flowers for mother. I forget the name."
"I do not know the name either," replied her aunt, rising and brushing the tears off her face; "but yesterday afternoon, when I was walking from the station, I noticed beautiful flowers for sale in a shop close to this house."
"Didst thou see any violets there?"
"Yes, plenty of them."
There was a short pause, and then Violet said earnestly,—
"Aunt Lizzie, wilt thou go to the shop and buy me some violets? It is not far, thou saidst, and I have some money in my new desk."
"Of course I will go," said Aunt Lizzie, turning at once to look for her hat. "Never mind the money, darling; they will not cost much."