"You got it at the shop?" asked his wife.
"Yes," said the baker; "I received it from a little girl about the size of Ellen, and I suppose it was that gave me the idea of bringing it home to her."
"Was she a pretty little girl?" asked Ellen, interested.
"Yes, she was very attractive. I could not help feeling interested in her. I hope she will come again."
This was all that pa.s.sed concerning Ida at that time. The thought of her would have pa.s.sed from the baker"s mind, if it had not been recalled by circ.u.mstances.
Ellen, like most girls of her age, when in possession of money, could not be easy until she had spent it. Her mother advised her to lay it away, or perhaps deposit it in some Savings Bank; but Ellen preferred present gratification.
Accordingly one afternoon, when walking out with her mother, she persuaded her to go into a toy shop, and price a doll which she saw in the window. The price was sixty-two cents. Ellen concluded to take it, and tendered the silver dollar in payment.
The shopman took it into his hand, glancing at it carelessly at first, then scrutinizing it with considerable attention.
"What is the matter?" inquired Mrs. Crump. "It is good, isn"t it?"
"That is what I am doubtful of," was the reply.
"It is new."
"And that is against it. If it were old, it would be more likely to be genuine."
"But you wouldn"t (sic) comdemn a piece because it was new?"
"Certainly not; but the fact is, there have been lately many cases where spurious dollars have been circulated, and I suspect this is one of them. However, I can soon test it."
"I wish you, would," said Mrs. Crump. "My husband took it at his shop, and will be likely to take more unless he is placed on his guard."
The shopman retired a moment, and then reappeared.
"It is as I thought," he said. "The coin is not good."
"And can"t I pa.s.s it, then?" said Ellen, disappointed.
"I am afraid not."
"Then I don"t see, Ellen," said her mother, "but you will have to give up your purchase for to-day. We must tell your father of this."
Mr. Crump was exceedingly surprised at his wife"s account.
"Really," he said, "I had no suspicion of this. Can it be possible that such a beautiful child could be guilty of such a crime?"
"Perhaps not," said his wife. "She may be as innocent in the matter as Ellen or myself."
"I hope so," said the baker; "it would be a pity that such a child should be given to wickedness. However, I shall find out before long."
"How?"
"She will undoubtedly come again some time, and if she offers me one of the same coins I shall know what to think."
Mr. Crump watched daily for the coming of Ida. He waited some days in vain. It was not the policy of Peg to send the child too often to the same place, as that would increase the chances of detection.
One day, however, Ida entered the shop as before.
"Good morning," said the baker. "What will you have to-day?"
"You may give me a sheet of gingerbread, sir."
The baker placed it in her hands.
"How much will it be?"
"Twelve cents."
Ida offered him another silver dollar.
As if to make change, he stepped from behind the counter, and managed to place himself between Ida and the door.
"What is your name, my child?" he asked.
"Ida, sir."
"Ida? A very pretty name; but what is your other name?"
Ida hesitated a moment, because Peg had forbidden her to use the name of Crump, and told her if the inquiry was ever made, she must answer Hardwick.
She answered, reluctantly, "My name is Ida Hardwick."
The baker observed the hesitation, and this increased his suspicions.
"Hardwick!" he repeated, musingly, endeavoring to draw from the child as much information as he could before allowing her to perceive that he suspected her. "And where do you live?"
Ida was a child of spirit, and did not understand why she should be questioned so closely. She said, with some impatience, "I am in a hurry, sir, and would like to have you hand me the change as soon as you can."
"I have no doubt of it," said the baker, his manner changing; "but you cannot go just yet."
"And why not?" asked Ida, her eyes flashing.
"Because you have been trying to deceive me."
"I trying to deceive you!" exclaimed the child, in astonishment.
"Really," thought Mr. Crump, "she does it well, but no doubt they train her to it. It is perfectly shocking, such depravity in a child."
"Don"t you remember buying something here a week ago?" he said, in as stern a tone as his good nature would allow him to employ.
"Yes," said Ida, promptly; "I bought two rolls at three cents a piece."