She changed her look of self-defence to one more deprecating yet half mischievous; not the look of a scolded girl to an accusing floorwalker, but that of charming young womanhood to man.

“I’m so sorry,” she said.  “I didn’t forget; but I felt sure that lady wouldn’t spend twenty dollars for a doll.  And I know I can find a better—­I mean, I know I can get some one to buy it.”

“I’ll buy it,” said Mr. Logan, stepping up.

This time he had safely caught his tantalizing rainbow trout, which had not a chance even to wriggle.  There was 2884 without an excuse in the shape of another customer, and there was Tobias, with whom, on the strength of the alleged “invention,” Mr. Jim Logan had already scraped acquaintance.

The eyes of the girl and the man met.  Logan saw that Miss Child had already guessed what he meant to do, or that she thought she had.  But he believed that he had a card up his sleeve whose presence even her sharp wit had not detected.  He looked forward joyously to the scene about to begin.

“Get the doll I spoke of and show it to this gentleman,” commanded Mr. Tobias, lingering to see that he was obeyed, for there was that in the flushed face of 2884 which told him she was capable of a trick.

Little Sister lived in a large, open-fronted box lined with blue silk and fluffy lace, in a desirable but not too conspicuous (Win had seen to that!) corner of a shelf devoted entirely to dollhood.  There she stood now, the sweet, smiling child, the image of the ideal two-year-old baby which every girl would like to have for her own “when I’m married.”

In reaching up her hands to take down the box Win hesitated.  Next but one was another doll, not unlike Little Sister to the casual eye, especially the casual eye of a mere man.  Its dress was also white; its hair was of much the same gold, though not quite so radiant; its eyes were as brown, if more beady; and it was larger, more elaborately gowned, therefore more expensive.  If Mr. Tobias recognized the difference, would he not praise rather than blame the saleswoman, since instructions were to force high-priced articles on customers whenever possible?

Win darted a cornerwise glance at Tobias to see if he were suspiciously watching her.  He was, with the expression of a cloud about to emit a flash of forked lightning.  Little Sister must be sacrificed!

Just then, as Win reluctantly placed the box on the counter for Logan’s twinkling inspection, Cupid went by on one of the endless errands which, as he said, “kept him jerking up and down all day like a churn.”  He knew Little Sister, for had not his beloved “Kid” ruffled his feelings by remarking on a likeness between her pet doll and himself? Infra dig as was the comparison, he had forgiven it when the Kid explained her affection for the type.  Now that Fresh Guy who had nearly “got him disliked” for fifty cents was going to buy the doll!