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“!” exclaimed Ellen, suddenly starting up, “a bright thought has just come into my head! I’ll do it for you, mamma!”

“Do what?”

“I’ll get the merino and things for you, mamma. You needn’t smile,&mdash;I will, indeed, if you will let me.”

“My dear Ellen,” said her mother, “I don’t doubt you would, if good will only were wanting; but a great deal of skill and experience is necessary for a shopper, and what would you do without either?”

“But see, mamma,” pursued Ellen eagerly, “I’ll tell you how I’ll manage, and I know I can manage very well. You tell me exactly what coloured merino you want, and give me a little piece to show me how fine it should be, and tell me what price you wish to give, and then I’ll go to the store and ask them to show me different pieces, you know, and if I see any I think you would like, I’ll ask them to give me a little bit of it to show you; and then I’ll bring it home, and if you like it, you can give me the money, and tell me how many yards you want, and I can go back to the store and get it. Why can’t I, mamma?”

“Perhaps you could; but, my dear child, I am afraid you wouldn’t like the business.”

“Yes, I should; indeed, mamma, I should like it dearly if I could help you so. Will you let me try, mamma?”

“I don’t like, my child, to venture you alone on such an errand, among crowds of people; I should be uneasy about you.”

“Dear mamma, what would the crowds of people do to me? I am not a bit afraid. You know, mamma, I have often taken walks alone,&mdash;that’s nothing new; and what harm should come to me while I am in the store? You needn’t be the least uneasy about me;&mdash;may I go?”

Mrs. Montgomery smiled, but was silent.

“May I go, mamma?” repeated Ellen. “Let me go at least and try what I can do. What do you say, mamma?” 