do anything for you? I will be very glad if I can."

"No--yes--" he answered hesitatingly; "I wouldn't like to ask you
after--after--"

"Oh! never mind," said Elsie, quickly; "I do not care anything
about that now. I had the ride to-day, and that was better still,
because I went with Aunt Adelaide and Miss Allison. Tell me what
you want."

Thus encouraged, Arthur replied, "I saw a beautiful little ship
yesterday when I was in the city; it was only five dollars, and
I've set my heart on having it, but my pocket money's all gone,
and papa won't give me a cent until next month's allowance is due;
and by that time the ship will be gone, for it's such a beauty
somebody'll be sure to buy it."

"Won't your mamma buy it for you?" asked Elsie.

"No, she says she hasn't the money to spare just now. You know
it's near the end of the month, and they've all spent their
allowances except Louise, and she says she'll not lend her money
to such a spendthrift as I am."

Elsie drew out her purse, and seemed just about to put it into his
hand; but, apparently changing her mind, she hesitated a moment,
and then returning it to her pocket, said, with a half smile, "I
don't know, Arthur; five dollars is a good deal for a little girl
like me to lay out at once. I must think about it a little."