Her voice trembled , and her cheeks grew redder and redder as she went on ; but she kept her eyes fixed on her old shoes , and so got through without breaking down , which was very nice . The people laughed , for the song was merry ; and the fat man smiled and nodded again . This gave her courage to try another , and she sung better and better each time ; for Tommo played his best , and kept whispering to her , ` Yes ; we go well ; this is fine . They will give the money and the blessed coffee . ' So they did ; for , when the little concert was over , several men put pennies in the cap Tessa offered , and the fat man took her on his knee , and ordered a mug of coffee , and some bread and butter for them both . This quite won her heart ; and when they left the café , she kissed her hand to the old Frenchman , and said to her friend , ` How kind they are ! I like this very much ; and now it is not hard . ' But Tommo shook his curly head , and answered , soberly , ` Yes , I took you there first , for they love music , and are of our country ; but up among the great houses we shall not always do well . The people there are busy or hard or idle , and care nothing for harps and songs . Do not skip and laugh too soon ; for the day is long , and we have but twelve pennies yet . ' Tessa walked more quietly , and rubbed her cold hands , feeling that the world was a very big place , and wondering how the children got on at home without the little mother . Till noon they did not earn much , for every one seemed in a hurry , and the noise of many sleigh-bells drowned the music . Slowly they made their way up to the great squares where the big houses were , with fine ladies and pretty children at the windows . Here Tessa sung all her best songs , and Tommo played as fast as his fingers could fly ; but it was too cold to have the windows open , so the pretty children could not listen long , and the ladies tossed out a little money , and soon went back to their own affairs . All the afternoon the two friends wandered about , singing and playing , and gathering up their small harvest . At dusk they went home , Tessa so hoarse she could hardly speak , and so tired she fell asleep over her supper . But she had made half a dollar , for Tommo divided the money fairly , and she felt rich with her share . The other days were very much like this ; sometimes they made more , sometimes less , but Tommo always ` went halves ; ' and Tessa kept on , in spite of cold and weariness , for her plans grew as her earnings increased , and now she hoped to get useful things , instead of candy and toys alone . On the day before Christmas she made herself as tidy as she could , for she hoped to earn a good deal . She tied a bright scarlet handkerchief over the old hood , and the brilliant color set off her brown cheeks and bright eyes , as well as the pretty black braids of her hair .
Tommo 's mother lent her a pair of boots so big that they turned up at the toes , but there were no holes in them , and XXXXX felt quite elegant in whole boots .
Frenchman Tessa Tommo afternoon café days drowned first left noon