This assistance made me redouble my exertions, and in three months I had
repaid the whole. The last portion which was due I received from
Virginia. She knew how much I paid off every week; and when on Sunday I
told her that I had only one and sixpence owing, she ran upstairs, and,
when she came down again, put the sum into my hand. She had been saving
up all she could coax out of my mother ever since I had first obtained
the clothes; and great indeed was her delight when she gave me the
money--she kissed me, and began to dance, although it was Sunday, and
then she proposed that we should walk together to old Nanny's, and close
the account. We found the old woman sitting on her steps; the door was
open, but the shop shutters were up. On the Saturday night I had paid
her two shillings, so that she did not expect to see me. Virginia put
the one and sixpence in her hand, saying, "Now brother has paid you
all."

"Yes, darling, he has," replied old Nanny; "but then he promised--"

"I know I did," interrupted I; "and I will keep my promise. I promised
you good bargains."

"You're an honest boy, Jack, and what's more strange, your sister isn't
a spoiled girl; but that's not her mother's fault. My dear, if it was
not Sunday you would be able to see all the pretty things in my shop,
and perhaps you might like something. You must come another day."

I thanked old Nanny once more for having trusted me, and then we left
her, I did keep my word with, her, and gave her good bargains for a long
while afterward.