So, next morning, when the last journal had been sold, a fruit-stand was grandly patronized.
"The biggest, best orange you got, and never mind what it costs." Then but a few moments to reach Gerty's alley, and Gerty's window.
Yes, there she was, just the same as yesterday, and the pinched face grew bright when she saw her new friend peering at her.
"Oh! you're come, are you?" joyfully. "Mother said you wouldn't, when I told her, but I said you would. She wouldn't leave the door unlocked, cos she didn't know nothing about you; but she said, if you came to-day, you could come back to-night when she was home, and come in."
"Oh, may I?" said Dick, rather gruffly; for he hardly liked the idea of meeting strangers.
"Yes," went on Gerty; "I'll sing lots, if you want; and mother'll be glad to see you, too."
"All right; mebbe I'll come. And say, here's suthin for ye," and the orange shot through the window.
"Oh, my!" she gasped, "how nice! Is it really for me?" And Dick answered, "Yes, eat it now."
Half his pleasure was in watching her eager relish of the fruit; and as Gerty needed no second bidding, the orange rapidly disappeared, she pausing now and again to look across gratefully at Dick and utter indistinct expressions of delight.
"Now shall I sing?" she asked, when the last delicious mouthful was fairly swallowed; for she was anxious to make some return for the pleasure he had given her.