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 Irishwoman '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 . `` Will baby have some ? '' said my girl , and made the little creature happy with some gay red leaves . `` Bless your heart , honey , it 's fond he is of the like o ' them , and seldom he gets any , '' said the mother , gratefully , as she settled baby 's dirty hood , and wrapped the old shawl round his feet . Baby stared hard at the giver of posies , but his honest blue eyes gave no offence , and soon the two were so friendly that baby boldly clutched at the bright buttons on her sack , and crowed with delight when he got one , while we all smiled at the pretty play , and were sorry when the little lady , with a bow and a smile to us , got out at the church corner . `` Now , I shall probably never see that child again , yet what a pleasant picture she leaves in my memory ! '' I thought to myself , as I caught a last glimpse of the brown hat going round the corner . But I did see her again many times that winter ; for not long after , as I passed down a certain street near my winter quarters , I came upon a flock of girls , eating their luncheon as they walked to and fro on the sunny side , -- pretty , merry creatures , all laughing and chattering at once , as they tossed apples from hand to hand , munched candy , or compared cookies . I went slowly , to enjoy the sight , as I do when I meet a party of sparrows on the Common , and was wondering what would become of so many budding women , when , all of a sudden , I saw my little school-girl .
Yes , I knew her in a minute , for she wore the same brown hat , and the rosy face was sparkling with fun , as she told secrets with a chosen friend , while eating a wholesome slice of bread-and-butter as only a hungry XXXXX could .
Irishwoman cane color fro manners offence posies sack school-girl sparrows