think she will do the shop justice. She's a respectable young woman, but with no taste for business.”
“Louisa is quite the lady, though,” said Freddy.
“Oh, a perfect lady, but I see things from my position in the shop that you don't see. Take my word for it, Mrs. Foggerty is no business woman. Only the other day a little girl came in for three-pen'north of chocolate cream. Well, Mrs. Foggerty not only gave her the chocolate for nothing, but added a Bath bun and a penny ice, and told her to come in again whenever she liked, and bring all her young friends. Now that's all very nice, but it's not business,” said the fairy, with decision.
“Mrs. Foggerty is all heart,” said Freddy; “besides, she is a born lady, and can't bear the idea of selling anything.”
“I wish you would tell me your history,” said the fairy.
“Oh, with great pleasure,” said Freddy. And he told her his history, just as I have been telling it to you.
“It seems to me, Mr. Foggerty, that your career has been a very discreditable one,” said the fairy, when Mr. Foggerty had finished.
“I'm not proud of it, miss. I've done many things in my time that I've had reason to regret. There are many incidents in my career that I'd give anything to blot out.”
“Oh, indeed,” said the fairy. “Now I think I can help you to do that. First of all, how many ornaments are there on that twelfth-cake?”
