Don't you think you can get it for me? Jemmy Hills
sent me word to-day that the picture was all framed and ready."
Peter all at once looked sick. He knew how his mother had been saving
to buy a pretty frame for the lovely water color Bernard Rollins had
given her. She had even given up the idea of a new knot of flowers for
her hat. And now she had dropped the precious coins down the hungry
mouth of a slot machine. And the worst of it was she didn't seem to
know what she had done.
"Mother," Peter began miserably, "you've lost the money and I don't see
how you can ask--"
"Oh, well, Peter Boy,--never mind. I expect it's some new game and I
didn't play it right. I'm sorry I was stupid. Let's see what else we
can do. I wanted to treat you children to soda but maybe Joe has some
money. Joe," she called merrily to the shoemaker, "won't you treat?"
Joe caught the odd little note in her voice. His hand rattled the
loose change in his pocket and he smiled a spontaneous smile that had
however more than a bit of malice in it.
"Sure, I'll treat," and he turned to the proprietor who still looked as
though he was seeing things but came to life when Joe stepped up to the
counter.
"What'll you have?"
"Oh," said Joe carelessly, "give me what you give the rest of the
boys," and here Joe winked at the proprietor.
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