Lizzie's face flushed as she told how rudely she had been repulsed.
"Poor thing!—I don't mean you, child; I mean the fossil in female attire whom you mistook for a woman with a heart in her bosom. Depend on it she never held a little prattling girl of her own in her arms, as I have done. Now, will you take another shilling or two, in case of further emergency?"
"No, thank you; indeed I want nothing more. I should like to send back what you have lent me in stamps, if you will kindly give me your address."
The gentleman laughed merrily at the idea of receiving the trifle back again, and said, "Tell that handsome sister of yours I saw you both long before you saw me; that she must never leave you again with such a narrow margin of cash, especially if there is a refreshment stall close at hand, and a ragged urchin to assist you in eating the buns."
"I was very hungry," said Lizzie, with a good hearty laugh, "and my second bun was the cause of all my trouble."
"Not the boy's share; eh?"
"Certainly not. If I had been contented with one bun, all would have been well."
"Here is your train coming in," said the friend in need. "Let me hand in your parcels."
He saw her comfortably placed, closed the door of the carriage, and lifted his hat by way of farewell.