Part 23 (2/2)

”'Yes, I do, for I was to buy the first thing I met.'

”'Well, if you want to know you had better buy it,' said the old hag.

”'But what does it cost?' asked the man.

”Yes! she must have fourpence.

”The man thought that no such very high price after all. He couldn't do better, and lifted the lid, and it was a puppy that lay in the basket.

”When the man came home from his trip to town the lad stood out in the yard, and wondered what he should get for his wages for the first year.

”'So soon home, master?' said the lad.

”Yes, he was.

”'What was it you bought?' he asked.

”'What I bought,' said the man, 'was not worth much. I scarcely know if I ought to show it; but I bought the first thing that was to be had, and it was a puppy.'

”'Now, thank you so much,' said the lad. 'I have always been so fond of dogs.'

”Next morning things went no better. The man was up at dawn again, and he had not got well into the town before he saw the old hag with her basket.

”'Good day, granny,' he said.

”'Good day to you, sir,' she said.

”'What have you got in your basket to-day?' asked the man.

”'If you wish to know you had better buy it,' said the old hag.

”'What does it cost?' asked the man.

”'Yes! she must have fourpence; she never had more than one price,' she said.

”So the man said he would take it; it would be hard to find anything cheaper. When he lifted the lid this time there lay a kitten in it.

”When he got home the lad stood out in the yard, waiting and wondering what he should get for his wages the second year.

”'Is that you, master?' he said.

”Yes, there he was.

”'What did you buy to-day now?' asked the lad.

”'Oh! it was worse, and no better,' said the man; 'but it was just as we bargained. I bought the first thing I met, and it was nothing else than this kitten.'

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