J. J. Bell

“ Baldwin would not be a duke for more than two seconds at a time. Visions of jumping-jacks and other juvenile joys came in the way. Nevertheless, Christina's imagination carried her to the point where Mr. Baldwin sank on one knee and imprinted burning kisses on the taper fingers of Miss Purvis; and imagination might have carried her even further, had it not been interrupted by a loud snigger and the question—
"Haw, Teeny! What's the price o' yer farden dolls?"
The unseemly interruption was made by the small boy who had insulted her aunt not half-an-hour ago. ”

“ With a friendly wave of her hand and a bright smile Christina skipped from the shop, whereupon Miss Purvis sighed heavily, and asked herself what on earth she was to do with her niece.
"I fear the child requires a stronger hand than mine," she said to herself. ”

“ Christina had intended to say, "With pleasure," but she merely murmured, "Uh-ha!"
"Come along, then," he returned cheerfully. "I think the boat is about due. I was glad to see your aunt looking so well to-day."
"Did she give ye an order for sling-elastic and pea-shooters?"
"No! did she intend to?"
"Ah, weel," said the girl, resisting temptation, "we'll see aboot them the next time ye come. How's business?" In talking to Mr. Baldwin she endeavoured to speak as much like her aunt as possible, though, to be sure, it was rather difficult.
"Business is not so bad as I've seen it," he replied. ”