Page:Arthur Stringer-The Loom of Destiny.djvu/68

The Loom of Destiny mother made him consume, and told how she felt hurt if he did n't seem to enjoy his allowance. And week by week hope and hunger increased among the ranks of his army of worshippers. But neither candy nor taffy nor mice were forthcoming, and at last sounds of doubt and dissension arose. All day long a hungry-eyed group of children hung about the shop window and gazed upon the delicacies within, but never were they invited inside by the obdurate Tommie. Two glass jars, one of peppermints and one of red wintergreen drops, appeared in the window and added to the seductiveness of the forbidden paradise, and one week later these were followed by a pasteboard box filled with all-day-suckers.

Two days after the appearance of the box of all-day-suckers Maggie Reilly came into the possession of two pennies. It was believed by some that such wealth was not come by honestly, but this statement was frowned down, not for any faith in Maggie Reilly's honesty, but simply because curiosity conquered all other feelings. 56