It has only red, but mine have all colours,
you see.'
'Yes, grandmother. I will take such care of it! But -' she added,
hesitating.
'But what?' asked her grandmother.
'What am I to say when Lootie asks me where I got it?'
'You will ask her where you got it,' answered the lady smiling.
'I don't see how I can do that.'
'You will, though.'
'Of course I will, if you say so. But, you know, I can't pretend
not to know.'
'Of course not. But don't trouble yourself about it. You will see
when the time comes.'
So saying, the lady turned, and threw the little ball into the rose
fire.
'Oh, grandmother!' exclaimed Irene; 'I thought you had spun it for
me.'
'So I did, my child. And you've got it.'
'No; it's burnt in the fire!'
The lady put her hand in the fire, brought out the ball, glimmering
as before, and held it towards her. Irene stretched out her hand
to take it, but the lady turned and, going to her cabinet, opened
a drawer, and laid the ball in it.
'Have I done anything to vex you, grandmother?' said Irene
pitifully.
'No, my darling. But you must understand that no one ever gives
anything to another properly and really without keeping it.
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