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〃Then you won't get the carpenter's tools？〃 said Annie。
〃No；〃 said David； 〃Purday said tools that they make for little boys never will cut。〃
〃So you told Purday all about it？〃
David nodded his head。
〃Oh； do tell me what Purday said！〃 continued Annie。
〃It's nothing to you；〃 said David bluntly。 But by and by； when John came in； and a few more questions were asked； David let out that Purday had said； 〃Well； he thought sure enough if the money was sent to Master David for that intent； he did not ought to spend it no other ways； and whether or not； Hannah Higgins was a deserving woman； and Master Davie didn't know what it was like never to have a bit of bacon ne'er a Sunday in the winter。 He couldn't say but it was hard that those poor folks should get nothing but bread and cabbages from week's end to week's end； just that Master Davie might spoil bits of deal board with making chips of them。〃
And when David was sure he shouldn't spoil his wood； Purday had told him that them toy…shop young gentleman's tools were made to sell； and not made to cut。 Best save up his money； and buy one real man's tool after another； and then he'd get a set equal to George Bowles's in time！
Though so young； David was long…sighted and patient enough to see the sense of this； and had already made up his mind that he would begin with a gimlet。 And though he did not say so； and the first resolution had cost a very tough struggle； his heart seemed to have freed itself in that one great sigh； and he was at peace with himself。
Miss Fosbrook was very glad he had gone to so wise and good an adviser as Purday； and was almost as happy as David himself。 She gave him and John leave to go with Purday the next day to bargain for the pig； as David was very anxious for one in especial； whose face he said was so jolly fat； and it was grand to see the two little boys consequentially walking on either aide of Purday； who had put on his whitest round frock for the great occasion。
Farmer Long was at home； he came out and did the honours of his ten little pigs； and when he found which was David's favourite； he declared that it was the best of the lot； and laughed till David blushed； at the young gentleman's having got such an eye for a pig。 〃It was a regular little Trudgeon；〃 said Purday； （meaning perhaps a Trojan；） and it was worth at least twelve shillings； but the farmer in his good…nature declared that little Master should have it for the ten； as it was for a present。 Hannah's boy was working for him； and was a right good lad； and he would give him some straw for the pig's bed when he went home at night。 Then he took the two boys into the parlour； and while Purday had a glass of beer in the kitchen； Mrs。 Long gave each of them a big slice of plum…cake； and wanted very much to have given them some wine； but that they knew they must not have； and she inquired after their Mamma and Papa； and made them so much of visitors； that David was terribly shy； and very glad when it was over； though John liked it； and talked fast。
As to the giving the pig； that was a serious business； and David felt hot and shy； and wanted to get it over as soon as possible without a fuss。
So he bolted into Mrs。 Higgins's cottage； put his hands behind his back； and spoke thus：… 〃Please； Mrs。 Higgins； put your pig…sty in order！ We've all done itat least they all wanted toand a green order came down in a letterand we've bought the pig； and Ben will drive it home when he comes from work！〃
And then； as if he had been in a great fright； he ran away； while Johnnie stayed； and； when Hannah understood； received so many curtsies； and listened to so much pleasure； that he could hardly think of anything else； and felt very glad that SOME pence of his had been in Toby Fillpot。
Annie said that it was not fair that she had not been at the giving the pig； and Miss Fosbrook was a little disappointed too； but then it was much better that David should not want to make a display； so she would not complain； and comforted Annie by putting her in mind that they could go and see the little pig in his new quarters。
A few days more； and the carriage was driving up to the door with dear Mamma in it； andwhy； there were three little girls； not two！ One look； and the colour came into Christabel's face。 It was her youngest little sister； Dora； who sat beside Bessie！ Mrs。 Merrifield had gone to see Mrs。 Fosbrook； and ask if she could take anything for her to her daughter； and she had been so much shocked at the sight of the little pale London faces； that she had begged leave to take home one of the children to spend a month with her sister at Stokesley； since Miss Fosbrook could not be spared to go home at present。 Was not that a secret for Christabel？ How these two sisters did hug each other！
But the Stokesley secrets have lasted long enough； and there is no time to tell of the happy days of Dora's visit； and the good care that Johnnie took of her whenever she went out； and of her pretty quiet ways that made Bessie take her for her dearest of friends。 And still less can be told of the smooth； peaceful； free spirit that seemed to have come home with Mamma； even though she was still able to do little among the children； for the very having her in the house appeared to keep things from going wrong。
One thing must be told； however； and that is； that when Annie told all the wonderful story of the post…office order and the Chinese pig； Bessie grew redder and redder in the face； and Susan squeezed both her hands tight together； and said 〃May I tell； Bessie！〃
End