"My eye!" was Dick's return. "And what are you in bed for?"
"Oh, I have a pain in my back, an' I lie down most of the time," replied Gerty in the most cheerful manner possible, as if a pain in the back were the one desirable thing, while Dick withdrew his head to ponder over this new experience.
A girl locked in a room like that, lying in bed with pain most of the time, with nothing to do, yet cheerful and bright—this was something he could not understand. All at once his face brightened. Back went his eyes to the window.
"I say, got anything to eat in there?"
"Oh yes, some crackers; and to-night maybe mother'll buy some milk."
"Pooh!" said Dick, with scorn. "Crackers and milk! Did you ever eat a mutton pie?"
"A mutton pie," repeated Gerty, slowly. "No, I guess not."
"Oh, they're bully! Hot from Ma'am Vesey's! Tip-top! Wait a minute,"—a needless caution, for Gerty could not possibly have done anything else.
Away ran Dick down the alley and around the corner, halting breathless before Ma'am Vesey.
"Gi'e me one, quick!" he cried. "Hot, too. No, I wont eat it; put it in some paper." The old woman had offered him one from the oven.