banish the thought, which she reproached herself for as an unworthy
suspicion, and smiled as if to reassure herself. With a pleasant word
she put the well-filled bags into Tom's hands, and received the silver
he offered in payment--three bright new dimes. At that moment she
caught a glimpse of Ed Brown lurking in the area way of a house at the
other end of the block. The sight filled her with a vague misgiving
which she could not have explained. She glanced again at Tom; he was
nervous and excited.

"Wait a bit," said she, laying a restraining hand upon his arm.

"What is the matter? Didn't I give you just the price?" he inquired,
somewhat impatiently.

The old woman bent forward and peered anxiously into his face; her kind
but searching eyes seemed to look down into his very soul, as, in a
voice trembling with emotion, she replied: "Yes: but tell me, asthore,
where did ye get the money?"

Tom's countenance changed; he tried to put her off, saying, "Pshaw!
Why do you want to ask a fellow such a question? Haven't I bought more
than this of you before?"

"Troth an' ye have, dear; but not in this way, I'm thinkin'," she
answered.

"It's all right. Do let me go, Missis Barry!" cried he, vexed and
beginning to feel decidedly frightened.

"Hi, Tom, come on!" called Ed Brown, emerging from the area.