"
"Is the poor man very threadbare?" asked Bertha. "Has his coat that
greenish colour which comes with old age in cheap material?"
"You incorrigible! As far as I have noticed, he is quite properly
dressed."
"Oh, oh!" protested Bertha, in a shocked tone. "Properly dressed!
What a blow to my romantic imagination! I thought at least his
coat-cuffs would be worn out. And his boots? Oh, surely he is down
at heel? Do say that he's down at heel, Rosamund!"
"What a happy girl you are, Bertha," said the other after a laugh.
"I sometimes think I would give anything to be like you."
"Ah, but you don't know--you can t see into the gloomy depths,
hidden from every eye but my own. For instance, while here we sit,
talking as if I hadn't a care in the world I am all the time
thinking that I must go to Mr. Jollyman's--the grocer's, that is
--as we haven't a lump of sugar in the house."
"Then let me walk with you," said Rosamund. "I oughtn't to have come
worrying you to-day, before you had time to settle down. Just let me
walk with you to the grocer's, and then I'll leave you at peace."
They presently went forth, and walked for some distance westward
along Fulham Road.
"Here's Mr. Jollyman's," said Bertha. "Will you wait for me, or come
in?"
Rosamund followed her friend into the shop. Absorbed in thought, she
scarcely raised her eyes, until a voice from behind the counter
replied to Bertha's "Good-morning"; then, suddenly looking up, she
saw that which held her motionless.
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