Billy's clear gaze wandered from Lydia's thin little face to her
patched mittens and back again.

"Won't your father let you?" he asked.

"I won't let myself," replied the little girl.

"Oh!" said Billy, his gray eyes deepening. "Well, let me have the
evergreens and you go back for some more. It'll save me getting Ma
hers."

With one thrust of her foot Lydia shoved the fragrant pile of boughs
into the snow. She tied the brace of duck to the sled and started back
toward the wood, then paused and looked back at Billy.

"Thank you a hundred times," she called.

"It was a business deal. No thanks needed," he replied.

Lydia nodded and trudged off. The boy stood for a moment looking at
the little figure, then he started after her.

"Lydia, I'll get that load of pines for you."

She tossed a vivid smile over her shoulder. "You will not. It's a
business deal."

And Billy turned back reluctantly toward the barn.