"Yes! she must have fourpence.
"The man thought that no such very high price after all. He couldn't do better, and lifted the lid, and it was a puppy that lay in the basket.
"When the man came home from his trip to town the lad stood out in the yard, and wondered what he should get for his wages for the first year.
"'So soon home, master?' said the lad.
"Yes, he was.
"'What was it you bought?' he asked.
"'What I bought,' said the man, 'was not worth much. I scarcely know if I ought to show it; but I bought the first thing that was to be had, and it was a puppy.'
"'Now, thank you so much,' said the lad. 'I have always been so fond of dogs.'
"Next morning things went no better. The man was up at dawn again, and he had not got well into the town before he saw the old hag with her basket.
"'Good day, granny,' he said.