“You look tired, my good woman,” she said kindly. “This is a very hot day for such hard work as yours. How do you sell your strawberries?”
“I ought to have ten cents for them, but nobody seems willing to give ten cents to-day, although they are very fine, and cost me as much as some I have got twelve and a half for.”
“How many boxes have you?”
“Five, ma’am.”
“They are very fine, sure enough,” said the lady, stooping down and examining them; “and well worth ten cents. I’ll take them.”
“Thanky, ma’am. I was afraid I should have to take them home,” said the woman, her heart bounding up lightly.
The lady rang the bell, for it was at her door that the tired strawberry-woman had stopped to rest herself. While she was waiting for the door to be opened, the lady took from her purse the money for the strawberries, and handing it to the woman, said,
“Here is your money. Shall I tell the servant to bring you out a glass of cool water? You are hot and tired.”
“If you please, ma’am,” said the woman, with a grateful look.
The water was sent out by the servant who was to receive the strawberries, and the tired woman drank it eagerly. Its refreshing coolness flowed through every vein, and when she took up her tray to return home, both heart and step were lighter.