J. J. Bell

“ In a few minutes she reappeared, smiling cheerfully, and gently pushing the children before her.
"He's gaun to buy the monkey," she announced to her aunt. At the same time she took the monkey from the far-end of the counter, where she had left it, and handed it to Jimsie, receiving his penny in exchange.
She then guided the silent children, who had rather a dazed look, to the door, and saw them safely outside.
"Christina," said Miss Purvis, on recovering from her amazement, "what did you say to those children?"
"Never heed," returned Christina, spinning the warm penny on the counter. ”

“ At the end of a minute the door closed, and a coin was heard to drop on the doorstep. The ring of metal was followed by a shuffling of feet. Then a silence, during which two faces were pressed against the glass. ”

“ At the end of twenty minutes the little boy slid from his chair, and, drawing down his sister's shoulder, whispered earnestly in her ear.
"Ye should ha'e said that afore," said his sister, without, however, any displeasure. In fact, she smiled a little smile of satisfaction. ”