She gives me bits of muslin and wire and
things, and shows me now and then. But I know if I had a real flower
I could copy it; so she'd see I did know something, for I try real
hard. I'm SO tired of slopping round the streets, I'd do anything to
earn my living some other way."
Lizzie had poured out her trouble rapidly; and the little story was
quite affecting when one saw the tears on her cheeks, the poor
clothes, and the thin hands that held the stolen rose. Belle was
much touched, and, in her impetuous way, set about mending matters
as fast as possible.
"Put on those boots and that pair of dry stockings right away. Then
tuck as much cake and fruit into your pocket as it will hold. I'm
going to get you some flowers, and see if mamma is too busy to
attend to me."
With a nod and a smile, Belle flew about the room a minute; then
vanished, leaving Lizzie to her comfortable task, feeling as if
fairies still haunted the world as in the good old times.
When Belle came back with a handful of roses, she found Lizzie
absorbed in admiring contemplation of her new boots, as she ate
sponge-cake in a blissful sort of waking-dream.
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