glad I am to see you.”

He marched with her over to the light.

“Well, little shop-keeper,” he said after a long pause in which he
studied her keenly, “you’re beginning to look like a real live
girl.” He dropped her gently to her feet. “Now show me your shop.”





CHAPTER V: PRIMROSE COURT


But during that first two weeks a continual rush of business made
long days for Maida. All the children in the neighborhood were
curious to see the place. It had been dark and dingy as long as they
could remember. Now it was always bright and pretty—always sweet
with the perfume of flowers, always gay with the music of birds. But
more, the children wanted to see the lame little girl who “tended
store,” who seemed to try so hard to please her customers and who
was so affectionate and respectful with the old, old lady whom she
called “Granny.”

At noon and night the bell sounded a continuous tinkle.

For a week Maida kept rather close to the shop. She wanted to get
acquainted with all her customers. Moreover, she wanted to find out
which of the things she had bought sold quickly and which were