One or two other shops Mrs. Vane and Rosalys went into; a paper-hanger’s for one, or rather a painter’s, where wall-papers were sold; and an iron-monger’s, where she bought two or three different kinds of small nails, tin tacks, and neat little brass-headed nails.  Bridget stayed at the door of both these shops:  she thought them not at all interesting, and mamma and Alie did not press her to come in.  The little girl was in a great fidget to get to Pier Street, and stood murmuring to herself that she didn’t believe they’d ever come; Alie might make mamma be quick, she knew how she, Biddy, wanted to see Celestina and her dolls’ room.

‘But nobody cares about what I want,’ she added to herself, with the discontented look on her face which so spoilt its round rosy pleasantness.

Just then out came Mrs. Vane and Alie.  They both looked pleased and bright, and this made Biddy still crosser.

‘Well, now,’ said her mother consideringly, ’is that all, Alie?  Yes—­I think it is.  I must call at the grocer’s on the way home, but I think we pass that way.  No—­I don’t remember anything else.’

At this Bridget could no longer keep silent.

‘Oh, mamma,’ she exclaimed, ’and you said you’d come to Celestina’s house.  It’s too bad.’

Mrs. Vane looked at her in surprise.

’I did not say so, Biddy; I said we should see.  And we are going there now.  You have no reason to be so impatient and to look so cross,’ and she turned and walked on quickly.

‘Biddy,’ said Alie, ‘you’re too bad really.  You spoil everything.’

Then she ran after her mother, and Bridget followed them at some little distance.

They went directly down the street which a little farther on ran into Pier Street, Biddy feeling more and more ashamed of herself.  How she wished she had been less hasty, and not spoken so rudely and crossly to her mother.  It did seem true, as Alie said, that she spoilt everything.  But she did not appear as sorry as she felt; indeed, her face had a rather sulky look when at last she came up to the others, who were waiting for her at the door of the shop.

‘I am going in to see Mrs. Fairchild,’ said her mother.  ’I have something to ask her.  You may come in too, Biddy, and I will ask to see the little girl too.’

A naughty spirit came over Biddy, even though in her heart she was sorry.

‘No,’ she said.  ’I don’t want to see the little girl, and I don’t want to come in,’ and her face grew still more sullen.

‘Very well,’ said her mother, ‘stay there then.’

But as she entered the shop with Alie she whispered to her, ’I really don’t know what to do with Biddy.  She has such a very bad temper, Alie.  Just when I am doing everything I can for her too.’

‘Only she doesn’t know about it, you see, mamma,’ Alie replied.  ’Still she is very cross, I know.’

Mrs. Fairchild was herself in the shop as well as her husband.  As soon as she caught sight of Rosalys she seemed to know who Mrs. Vane was, and came forward with her gentle smile.