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 school-girl could . She did not recognize me , but I took a good look at her as I went by , longing to know what the particular secret was that ended in such a gale of laughter . After that , I often saw my girl as I took my walks abroad , and one day could not resist speaking to her when I met her alone ; for usually her mates clustered round her like bees about their queen , which pleased me , since it showed how much they loved the sunshiny child . I had a paper of grapes in my hand , and when I saw her coming , whisked out a handsome bunch , all ready to offer , for I had made up my mind to speak this time . She was reading a paper , but looked up to give me the inside of the walk . Before her eyes could fall again , I held out the grapes and said , just as I had heard her say more than once to a schoolmate at lunch-time , `` Let 's go halves . '' She understood at once , laughed , and took the bunch , saying with twinkling eyes , -- `` Oh , thank you ! they are beauties ! '' Then , as we went on to the corner together , I told her why I did it , and recalled the car-ride . `` 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 XXXXX 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 .
car-ride days fall first fro left lunch-time minute nosegay week