"Are you tired, Daisy?" said Dr. Sandford, bending down to look in my face.
"No, sir. At least, that is not what I was thinking of."
"What then?" said he. "Will one of these do?"
"They would do," I said slowly. "But, Dr. Sandford, I should like to see something else something that would do for somebody that was poorer than I."
"Poorer?" said the doctor, looking funny. "What is the matter, Daisy? Have you suddenly become bankrupt? You need not be afraid, for the bank is in my pocket; and I know it will stand all your demands upon it."
"No, but I would indeed, if you please, Dr. Sandford. These things cost too much for what I want now."
"Then take one, whichever you like best. That is my advice to you, Daisy. The bank will bear it."
"I think I must not. Please, Dr. Sandford, I should like to see something that would not cost so much. Do they _all_ cost as much as these?"
The doctor gave the order, as I desired. The shopman who was serving us cast another comprehensive glance at me I had seen him give one at the beginning and tossing off the velvet coat and twisting off the silk one, he walked away. Presently came back with a brown silk which he hung in the place of the velvet one, and a blue cloth, which replaced the black silk. Every whit as costly, and almost as pretty, both of them.
"No," said the doctor, "you mistook me. We want to look at some goods fitted for persons who have not long purses."
"Something inferior to these " said the man. He was not uncivil; he just stated the fact. In accordance with which he replaced the last two coats with a little grey dreadnought, and a black cloth; the first neat and rough, the last not to be looked at. It was not in good taste, and a sort of thing that I neither had worn nor could wear. But the grey dreadnought was simple and warm and neat, and would offend nobody. I looked from it to the pretty black cloth which still hung opposed to it, the one of the first two. Certainly, in style and elegance _this_ looked like my mother's child, and the other did not. But this was forty dollars. The dreadnought was exactly half that sum. I had a little debate with myself I remember it, for it was my first experience of that kind of thing and all my mother's training had refined in me the sense of what was elegant and fitting, in dress as well as in other matters. Until now, I had never had my fancy crossed by anything I ever had to wear. The little grey dreadnought how would it go with my silk dresses? It was like what I had seen other people dressed in; never my mother or me. Yet it was perfectly fitting a lady's child, if she could not afford other; and where was Margaret's cloak to come from? And who had the best right? I pondered and debated, and then I told Dr. Sandford I would have the grey coat. I believe I half wished he would make some objection; but he did not; he paid for the dreadnought and ordered it sent home; and then I began to congratulate myself that Margaret's comfort was secure.