Julia's quick wit at once jumped at the correct conclusion regarding
the apparent blunder. The toy-mender's two thoughtless apprentices had
played a joke upon the little cashgirl.
"It is only the nonsense of those rogues upstairs. I'll take the doll
back and tell them they must fix it to-night, or I'll complain of them
for their fooling at this busy time," she announced, energetically; for
she noted the twitching around the corners of Katy's mouth,
notwithstanding the child's brave effort at self-control.
Katy went off partially comforted.
"It's mean to tease a child in that way," added Julia, in an audible
aside, as she laid the doll on the shelf behind, and wished that the
lady to whom she was showing some very handsome dolls would finish her
choice, so that she might get a free minute to run up to the mending
room again. But the interest of the customer had been awakened by the
little drama enacted before her.
"What is the matter?" she inquired, cordially.
Julia looked disconcerted; but the lady had such a sweet and noble
face, and her manner was so winning, that the girl found herself
telling briefly not only the history of Katy's doll, but of Katy and
Ellie too.
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