"
"No, indeed," said the girl, hope and faith welling up in her
own heart.
"And what's more, I've stood the chipping. I ain't become
rubbish; I'm still a good stone. That's promising, ain't it?"
"It's a sure sign," declared Susan. Sure for herself, no less
than for him.
The restaurant man took from under the counter several
well-worn schoolbooks. He held them up, looked at Susan and
winked. "Good business--eh?"
She laughed and nodded. He put the books back under the
counter, finished the cakes and served them. As he gave her
more butter he said:
"It ain't the best butter--not by a long shot. But it's
good--as good as you get on the average farm--or better. Did
you ever eat the best butter?"
"I don't know. I've had some that was very good."
"Eighty cents a pound?"
"Mercy, no," exclaimed Susan.
"Awful price, isn't it? But worth the money--yes, sir! Some
time when you've got a little change to spare, go get half a
pound at one of the swell groceries or dairies. And the best
milk, too. Twelve cents a quart. Wait till I get money. I'll
show 'em how to live. I was born in a tenement. Never had
nothing. Rags to wear, and food one notch above a garbage
barrel."
"I know," said Susan.
"But even as a boy I wanted the high-class things. It's
wanting the best that makes a man push his way up."
Another customer came--a keeper of a butcher shop, on his way
to market.
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