"I don't ask you to _give_ it," he replied scornfully; "I'll
pay it back in two weeks."

"Well, I will see by to-morrow morning," she said, darting away,
while he sent an angry glance after her, muttering the word
"stingy" between his teeth.

Elsie ran down to the kitchen, asking of one and another of the
servants as she passed, "Where's Pompey?" The last time she put
the question to Phoebe, the cook, but was answered by Pompey
himself. "Here am Pomp, Miss Elsie; what does little missy want
wid dis chile?"

"Are you going to the city to-night, Pompey?"

"Yes, Miss Elsie, I'se got some arrants to do for missus an' de
family in ginral, an' I ben gwine start in 'bout ten minutes.
Little missy wants sumpin', eh?"

Elsie motioned to him to come close to her, and then putting her
purse into his hands, she told him in a whisper of Arthur's wish,
and directed him to purchase the coveted toy, and bring it to her,
if possible, without letting any one else know anything about it.
"And keep half a dollar for yourself, Pompey, to pay you for your
trouble," she added in conclusion.

"Tank you, little missy," he replied, with a broad grin of
satisfaction; "dat be berry good pay, and Pomp am de man to do dis
business up for you 'bout right."