It was prettily done , and I valued the small courtesy all the more , because it evidently cost the bashful creature an effort to stand up alone in a car full of strangers ; especially as she could not reach the strap to steady herself , and found it difficult to stand comfortably . Then it was that the crusty man showed how he appreciated my girl 's good manners , for he hooked his cane in the strap , and gave it to her , saying , with a smile that lighted up his rough face like sunshine , -- `` Hold on to that , my dear . '' `` Ah , '' thought I , `` how little we can judge from appearances ! This grim old soul is a gentleman , after all . '' Turning her face towards us , the girl held on to the stout cane , and swayed easily to and fro as we bumped over the rails . The Irishwoman 's baby , a sickly little thing , was attracted by the flowers , and put out a small hand to touch them , with a wistful look at the bright face above . `` Will baby have some ? '' said my girl , and made the little creature happy with some gay red leaves . `` Bless your heart , honey , it 's fond he is of the like o ' them , and seldom he gets any , '' said the mother , gratefully , as she settled baby 's dirty hood , and wrapped the old shawl round his feet . Baby stared hard at the giver of posies , but his honest blue eyes gave no offence , and soon the two were so friendly that baby boldly clutched at the bright buttons on her sack , and crowed with delight when he got one , while we all smiled at the pretty play , and were sorry when the little lady , with a bow and a smile to us , got out at the church corner . `` Now , I shall probably never see that child again , yet what a pleasant picture she leaves in my memory ! '' I thought to myself , as I caught a last glimpse of the brown hat going round the corner . But I did see her again many times that winter ; for not long after , as I passed down a certain street near my winter quarters , I came upon a flock of girls , eating their luncheon as they walked to and fro on the sunny side , -- pretty , merry creatures , all laughing and chattering at once , as they tossed apples from hand to hand , munched candy , or compared cookies . I went slowly , to enjoy the sight , as I do when I meet a party of sparrows on the Common , and was wondering what would become of so many budding women , when , all of a sudden , I saw my little school-girl . Yes , I knew her in a minute , for she wore the same brown hat , and the rosy face was sparkling with fun , as she told secrets with a chosen friend , while eating a wholesome slice of bread-and-butter as only a hungry school-girl could . She did not recognize me , but I took a good look at her as I went by , longing to know what the particular secret was that ended in such a gale of laughter . After that , I often saw my girl as I took my walks abroad , and one day could not resist speaking to her when I met her alone ; for usually her mates clustered round her like bees about their queen , which pleased me , since it showed how much they loved the sunshiny child . I had a paper of grapes in my hand , and when I saw her coming , whisked out a handsome bunch , all ready to offer , for I had made up my mind to speak this time . She was reading a paper , but looked up to give me the inside of the walk . Before her eyes could fall again , I held out the grapes and said , just as I had heard her say more than once to a schoolmate at lunch-time , `` Let 's go halves . ''
She understood at once , laughed , and took the bunch , XXXXX with twinkling eyes , -- `` Oh , thank you !
's attracted bumped came looked reach saying speak took went