"Baskets," said Mr. Lamb. "What sort of baskets?"
"Baskets to hold strawberries little baskets," said Daisy.
"Ah! strawberry-baskets. That, ma'am, is the article."
Was it? Daisy did not think so. The storekeeper had showed her the kind of baskets commonly used to hold strawberries for the market; containing about half a pint. She remarked they were not large enough.
"No, ma'am? They are the kind generally used regular strawberry-baskets we have sold 'em nearly all out, but we've got a few left."
"They are not large enough, nor pretty enough," repeated
Daisy.
"They'll look pretty when they get the strawberries in them," said the storekeeper, with a knowing look at her. "But here's a kind, ma'am, are a little neater maybe you would like these What do you want, child?"
There had come into the store just after Daisy a little poor- looking child, who had stood near, watching what was going on. Daisy turned to look at her as Mr. Lamb's question was thrown at her over the counter, in a tone very different from his words to herself. She saw a pale, freckled, pensive-faced little girl, in very slim clothing, her dress short and ragged, and feet bare. The child had been looking at her and her baskets, but now suddenly looked away to the shopkeeper.
"Please, sir, I want "
"There! stop," said Mr. Lamb; "don't you see I'm busy. I can't attend to you just now; you must wait. Are these baskets better, ma'am?" he said, coming back to Daisy and a smooth voice.