"Nobody ought to be always smiling," returned Judy. "It's vulgar. And it doesn't mean anything, either."
"Hush, Judy," said her mother.
"What were you smiling about, Matilda?" Mrs. Lloyd asked.
"A great many things I was thinking of, ma'am."
But the little girl's face was so gleeful as she answered, and the smile and the sparkle were so pleasant, that the old lady's curiosity was raised.
"A great many things?" she repeated, "A great many things to be glad of? I should like to know what they are. Come, I will make a bargain with you. I will give you a silver penny for your thoughts; and my silver penny shall be a golden half-eagle."
"For my thoughts, ma'am?" said Matilda, half bewildered; while the other young ones burst out like a pack of hounds after their leader.
"A half-eagle," Mrs. Lloyd repeated, "for all your thoughts; if you will give me them all. I want to know all the things you are feeling so glad about."
"Grandmamma, you'll do as much for me?" cried Judy. "Only, mine will take an eagle to bring them down. They fly high. You might have bought hers, I am confident, for a duck or a pigeon."
"I should like to make a bargain too, grandmother," said Norton; "if you are in that mood."