Hal and Mary burst into laughter, while Rosa cried “Hush!” She was never sure what this youngster would say next.
“Sure, did ye think I painted it?” asked Mary.
“I didn't know,” said Little Jerry. “It looks so nice and new.” And he turned to Hal. “Ain't it?”
“You bet,” said Hal, and added, “Go on and tell her about it. Girls like compliments.”
“Compliments?” echoed Little Jerry. “What's that?”
“Why,” said Hal, “that's when you say that her hair is like the sunrise, and her eyes are like twilight, or that she's a wild rose on a mountain-side.”
“Oh,” said the Dago urchin, somewhat doubtfully. “Anyhow,” he added, “she make nice custard!”
SECTION 24.
The time came for Mary to take her departure, and Hal got up, wincing with pain, to escort her home. She regarded him gravely, having not realised before how seriously he was suffering. As they walked along she asked, “Why do ye do such work, when ye don't have to?”
“But I do have to! I have to earn a living!”