`` I 'd forgotten all about that , but my conductor is very kind , and always waits for me , '' she said , evidently surprised that a stranger should take an interest in her small self . I did not have half time enough with her , for a bell rang , and away she skipped , looking back to nod and smile at the queer lady who had taken a fancy to her . A few days afterward a fine nosegay of flowers was left at the door for me , and when I asked the servant who sent them he answered , -- `` A little girl asked if a lame lady did n't live here , and when I said yes , she told me to give you these , and say the grapes were very nice . '' I knew at once who it was , and enjoyed the funny message immensely ; for when one leads a quiet life , little things interest and amuse . Christmas was close by , and I planned a return for the flowers , of a sort , that I fancied my young friend would appreciate . I knew that Christmas week would be a holiday , so , the day before it began , I went to the school just before recess , and left a frosted plum cake , directed to `` Miss Goldilocks , from she knows who . '' At first I did not know how to address my nice white parcel , for I never had heard the child 's name . But after thinking over the matter , I remembered that she was the only girl there with yellow curls hanging down her back , so I decided to risk the cake with the above direction . The maid who took it in -LRB- for my girl went to a private school -RRB- smiled , and said at once she knew who I meant . I left my cake , and strolled round the corner to the house of a friend , there to wait and watch for the success of my joke , for the girls always went that way at recess . Presently the little hats began to go bobbing by , the silent street to echo with laughter , and the sidewalk to bloom with gay gowns , for the girls were all out in winter colors now . From behind a curtain I peeped at them , and saw , with great satisfaction , that nearly all had bits of my cake in their hands , and were talking it over with the most flattering interest . My particular little girl , with a friend on each arm , passed so near me that I could see the happy look in her eyes , and hear her say , with a toss of the bright hair , -- `` Mother will plan it for me , and I can get it done by New Year . Wo n't it be fun to hang it on the door some day , and then run ? '' I fancied that she meant to make something for me , and waited with patience , wondering how this odd frolic with my little school-girl would end . New Year 's Day came and passed , but no gift hung on my door ; so I made up my mind it was all a mistake , and , being pretty busy about that time , thought no more of the matter till some weeks later , as I came into town one day after a visit in the country . I am fond of observing faces , and seldom forget one if anything has particularly attracted my attention to it . So this morning , as I rode along , I looked at the conductor , as there was no one else to observe , and he had a pleasant sort of face . Somehow , it looked familiar , and after thinking idly about it for a minute , I remembered where I had seen it before . He was the man who waited for `` little missy , '' and I at once began to hope that she would come again , for I wanted to ask about the holidays , remembering how `` fond of fun '' she was .
When we came to the South End Square , where I met her XXXXX , I looked out , expecting to see the little figure running down the wide path again , and quite willing to wait for it a long time if necessary .
Goldilocks Mother day days first left minute nosegay school-girl week