Fiona came scrambling through the open window, and curled herself up on the rug with her head on the Student's knee. The Student stroked her hair.
"Tell me what it's all about," she said.
"This gentleman," he said, "once interrupted a very important piece of work which I was doing, and I was just about to tell him exactly what I thought of him when you interrupted me."
The old hawker had risen and bowed courteously to the girl.
"My dear young lady," he said, "I have been searching my pack for a present for your father, and found nothing suitable. But perhaps I could find something for you."
Fiona jumped up.
"Have you a hedgehog?" was her question.
"I do not carry them with me, as a general thing," said the old man. "No doubt one could be got. But why a hedgehog?"
"I want one for the Urchin," she said. "You see, it's his namesake."
"I see," said the old man, quite gravely. "And who is the Urchin?"