Hannah, as I said, had been in the habit of dealing at this shop all her
life, and paying cash for everything she got. So now, indeed, she might
reasonably ask for a little credit, a little indulgence until she could
procure work. Yet, for all that, she blushed and hesitated at having to
ask the unusual favor. She entered the store and found the dealer alone.
She was glad of that, as she rather shrank from preferring her humble
request before witnesses. Mr. Nutt hurried forward to wait on her.
Hannah explained her wants, and then added: "If you will please credit me for the things, Mr. Nutt, I will be sure
to pay you the first of the month."
The dealer looked at the customer and then looked down at the counter,
but made no reply.
Hannah, seeing his hesitation, hastened to say that she had been out of
work all the winter and spring, but that she hoped soon to get some
more, when she would be sure to pay her creditor.
"Yes, I know you have lost your employment, poor girl, and I fear that
you will not get it again," said the dealer, with a look of compassion.
"But why, oh! why should I not be allowed to work, when I do my work so
willingly and so well?" exclaimed Hannah, in, despair.
"Well, my dear girl, if you do not know the reason, I cannot be the man
to tell you."
"But if I cannot get work, what shall I do? Oh! what shall I do? I
cannot starve! And I cannot see the child starve!" exclaimed Hannah,
clasping her hands and raising her eyes in earnest appeal to the
judgment of the man who had known her from infancy: who was old enough
to be her father, and who had a wife and grown daughter of his own: "What shall I do? Oh! what shall I do?" she repeated.
Mr. Nutt still seemed to hesitate and reflect, stealing furtive glances
at the anxious face of the woman. At last he bent across the counter,
took her hand, and, bending his head close to her face, whispered: "I'll tell you what, Hannah. I will let you have the articles you have
asked for, and anything else in my store that you want, and I will never
charge you anything for them--"
"Oh, sir, I couldn't think of imposing on your goodness so: The Lord
reward you, sir! but I only want a little credit for a short time,"
broke out Hannah, in the warmth of her gratitude.