" Thus saying, with a significant whisper to me to watch the
peddler, she disappeared with Chloe.
They soon returned, Chloe bearing a variety of garments, for mamma had
taken the important _premier pas_. The pantaloons were first produced.
The peddler took them in his hand, which flew up like an empty scale, to
show how light they were; he held them up to the sun, and a half
contemptuous smile crossed his lips; then shaking his head, he threw
them down beside his basket. A drab overcoat was next inspected, and was
also thrown aside with a doubtful expression.
"Mr. Peddler," said mamma, in a very soft tone, "you must allow me a
fair price; these are very excellent articles."
"Oh, ver fair," said he, "but te closhes ish not ver goot; te
closhesman is not going to give me noting for dish," and he laid a
waistcoat on the other two articles.
Mamma and Chloe had by this time reached the depths of the basket, and,
with sympathetic exclamations, arranged several articles on the slab.
"You will let me have these pitchers," said mamma, with a look of
concentrated resolution, "for that very nice pair of pantaloons.
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