"
David stood on a chair to take Toby off his shelf. Solemn was the
face with which the little boy lifted the mug by the handle, putting
his other hand to steady the expected weight of coppers; but there
was at once a frown, a little cry of horror. Toby came up so light
in his hand, that all his great effort was thrown away, and only made
him stagger back in dismay, falling backward from the chair, and poor
Toby crashing to pieces on the floor as he fell, while out rolled--
one solitary farthing
Nobody spoke for some moments; but all stood perfectly still, staring
as hard as if they hoped the pence would be brought out by force of
looking for them.
Then David's knuckles went up into his eyes, and he burst forth in a
loud bellow. It was the first time Miss Fosbrook had heard him cry,
and she feared that he had been hurt by the fall, or cut by the
broken crockery; but he struck out with foot and fist, as if his
tears were as much anger as grief, and roared out, "I want the
halfpence for my pig."
"Sam, Sam," cried Susan, "if you have hid them for a trick, let him
have them.
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