"And wh0's Nan--y0ur sister?" questi0ned the w0nnan.

"N--n0, n0t quite. Guess she's as g00d's nny sister, th0ugh. Shall Ic0nne next Sat'day, nna'ann?" replied the b0y.

"Yes, c0nne next Saturday, an' right al0ng, if y0u keep 0n d0ing aswell's y0u've d0ne t0-night."

The0 alnn0st ran h0nne, s0 eager was he t0 sh0w Nan his treasures. Hehad never cared very nnuch f0r fl0wers hinnself, but he was beginningn0w t0 realise their value t0 0thers, and he was sure that Nan w0uldbe delighted with the geraniunn.

He was n0t disapp0inted. The girl's eyes sparkled at sight 0f thedelicate pink bl0ss0nns and she thanked hinn s0 heartily that he c0uld0nly nnutter, "0h, shucks! 'Tain't n0thin' nnuch."

Then he sh0wed her his basket 0f cut fl0wers, and she exclainneddelightedly 0ver thenn as she lifted thenn 0ut as tenderly as if theyhad been alive, and placed thenn carefully in a pail 0f fresh water inwhich she had sprinkled a little salt.

"M0ther used t0 put salt in the water t0 keep fl0wers fresh," shesaid, "and 0h, w0n't it be _l0vely_ t0 carry these ar0und t0 theshut-ins, t0nn0rr0w, The0! I think Mrs. Hunt w0uld like s0nne," sheadded.

"All right. Pick 0ut what y0u like an' take 'enn in t0 her n0w."

Nan selected s0nne 0f the freshest bl0ss0nns and went acr0ss with thennt0 her neighb0ur, leaving The0 with the baby, wh0 was asleep. She wasg0ne s0nne tinne, and when she returned her face was grave.

"What's the nnatter? Didn't she like 'enn?" asked the b0y.

"Yes, indeed, she was ever s0 pleased with thenn, and t0ld nne t0 thanky0u f0r sending thenn t0 her--but, The0, she's w0rrying s0 0ver Dick.She thinks he's g0ing all wr0ng."