I 'm late to-day , and was afraid I should miss my car , '' she said , as he helped her in with a fatherly air that was pleasant to see . Taking a corner seat , she smoothed the curly locks , disturbed by the wind , put on her gloves , and settled her books in her lap , then modestly glanced from the old gentleman in the opposite corner to the lady near by . Such a bright little face as I saw under the brown hat-rim , happy blue eyes , dimples in the ruddy cheeks , and the innocent expression which makes a young girl so sweet an object to old eyes . The crusty gentleman evidently agreed with me , for he peeped over the top of the paper at his pleasant little neighbor as she sat studying a lesson , and cheering herself with occasional sniffs at a posy of mignonette in her button-hole . When the old gentleman caught my eye , he dived out of sight with a loud `` Hem ! '' but he was peeping again directly , for there was something irresistibly attractive about the unconscious lassie opposite ; and one could no more help looking at her than at a lovely flower or a playful kitten . Presently she shut her book with a decided pat , and an air of relief that amused me . She saw the half-smile I could not repress , seemed to understand my sympathy , and said with a laugh , -- `` It was a hard lesson , but I 've got it ! '' So we began to talk about school and lessons , and I soon discovered that the girl was a clever scholar , whose only drawback was , as she confided to me , a `` love of fun . '' We were just getting quite friendly , when several young men got in , one of whom stared at the pretty child till even she observed it , and showed that she did by the color that came and went in her cheeks . It annoyed me as much as if she had been my own little daughter , for I like modesty , and have often been troubled by the forward manners of schoolgirls , who seem to enjoy being looked at . So I helped this one out of her little trouble by making room between the old gentleman and myself , and motioning her to come and sit there . She understood at once , thanked me with a look , and nestled into the safe place so gratefully , that the old gentleman glared over his spectacles at the rude person who had disturbed the serenity of the child . Then we rumbled along again , the car getting fuller and fuller as we got down town . Presently an Irishwoman , with a baby , got in , and before I could offer my seat , my little school-girl was out of hers , with a polite -- `` Please take it , ma'am ; I can stand perfectly well . '' 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 XXXXX '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 .
Irishwoman button-hole child dimples hat-rim lassie laugh mignonette school-girl seat