Helen looked down, and there stood a little barefooted, dark-eyed girl, a good deal smaller than herself, holding up a bunch of roses and violets. Her face was so sweet and smiling, that Helen could not refuse her: so she said in French, "How much are they, little girl?"
"Dix centimes seulement" ("only two cents"), she replied.
"Come round to the door, and I will buy them," said Helen.
The girl ran quickly to the door. When Helen learned from her that her mother was very poor, she gave her more than the price of her flowers; and the little girl's face fairly beamed with delight when she went away.
IDA FAY.
MABEL AND THE BUST.
Upon the floor our little Mabel sits,
Gazing, with wonder and delight,
Upon a marble bust. She cons it o'er,
With visage keen and bright,
Till cautiously upon the stone she lays
Her dimpled fingers white.