"No—eh? And why not, now?"
"Because you call the flowers bad names."
"Oh, I do, do I? Well never mind, little one. Say we strike a peace—eh?"
"I don't like people that strike," said Ruby, with averted eyes.
"Well, then, cry a truce—anything you like."
Ruby knew what crying a flower or a fish meant.
"Here, now, little one, here's a penny; that's double wages, you know. Don't you think the law would uphold me if I asked for a—"
"A what?" asked the child, with innocent eyes.
"Well, say a kiss."