“Are you Mr. Schwartz?” she asked, and Dan inspected his calf, because Minkie’s tone told us she had taken a violent dislike to the visitor at first sight.

“Yes,” he smirked, being so busy looking at her that he paid no heed to the porter, who was waiting for his tip.

“Well, if you give the porter a shilling I’ll drive you to our place. Mother is expecting you.”

“Are you particular as to the exact amount?” he inquired, still grinning. In fact, he was one of those silly men who believe that you must laugh when you want to be amiable; so please imagine Mr. Schwartz always guffawing—at least, not always, because he could scowl very unpleasantly at times. Tickle my withers, we made him scowl all right before we were through with him.

“No,” said Minkie, giving the porter just one little look. “As it is Christmas time, you might make it half a crown.”

Schwartz got his hand down quick. Because he was a rich man, he thought tuppence [Pg 10]would be ample. He produced a florin, but Minkie spotted it.

[Pg 10]

“If you haven’t another sixpence I can lend you one,” she said sweetly, and I saw Dan licking his lips when he heard her speak in that way.

“Don’t trouble,” said Schwartz, rather shortly, and he handed the porter three shillings. That was another of his queer ways. He liked to impress people, but cheaply. He wanted a girl of fourteen to realize what a grand person he was, yet he was afraid she would spring him up to a crown, or even half a sovereign, if he didn’t make haste.

Then Minkie made room for him by her side, and Dan hopped in too.

“Is that dog yours?” he inquired.

“Yes.”

“And does your father permit a beast with muddy paws to sit in his carriage?”

“Not often,” said Minkie, looking at his boots. “Dandy, you wicked imp, get out at once.”

Dan took a header into the roadway, and ran up alongside me, barking for all he was worth.

[Pg 11]

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