The page was a fly leaf, from which a name, possibly that of a former
owner, had been removed. Below it the Candy Man's own name was now
written.

"It was so when I got it," he answered, holding out his hand for it. He
had no mind to have his book in any other keeping, for somewhere within
its leaves lay a crimson flower.

Before she returned it Virginia examined the back. "Vol. I, what does
that mean?" she asked, and without waiting for an answer she tossed it
back to him, and ran to join the other pigeons.

From this time Virginia began to be almost as constant a visitor as
the Reporter. She had a way of bursting into conversation without any
preface whatever, speaking entirely from the fullness of her heart at
the moment.

"I'd give anything in the world to be pretty," she remarked one day,
resting her school bag on the carriage block and sighing deeply.

"But now honestly," said the Candy Man, regarding her gravely, "it seems
to me you are a very nice-looking little girl, and who knows but you may
turn out a great beauty some day? That is the way it happens in story
books."

Virginia returned his gaze steadily. "Do you really think there is any
chance? You are not laughing?"

He assured her he was intensely serious.