At another time Jasmine would have been quite spirited enough to
resent the unfriendly behavior of the inmates of the City 'bus; but
her interview with Poppy had depressed her greatly, and she had a kind
of terrified little fear that she knew the reason of Mrs. Flint's
sharp tones, that she could guess why Poppy's bright face should look
so dismal, and why she was obliged so earnestly to beg of her to
return her one and sixpence.
"She wants her own money--her wages, that she earned with a swimming
head and all," thought poor Jasmine. "How selfish of me not to
remember before that of course, poor Poppy would want her wages; it is
perfectly dreadful to think of her doing without them. Why, of course,
Mrs. Flint would be likely to scold her if she went about with her
ragged boots when she earns such good wages. Poor, dear, brave Poppy!
she would never tell what she did with her money. Well, she must have
it all back to-day. Yes, I am determined about that, she shall have it
back, to-day."
Jasmine was thinking so hard, and so absorbing was her theme, that she
leaned unconsciously against the fat neighbor on her right. This good
person immediately pushed her with some vigor into the arms of the
portly neighbor on her left, who exclaimed, in a cross voice--
"Lor' sakes! my dear, sit upright, do.
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