We'll keep
the little frocks, and what not, Nell."
"Then there's the perambulator and the gooseberries, and the
sweets," said Bobbie, "they're from Mrs. Ransome. She said: 'I dare
say Mr. Perks's children would like the sweets. And the
perambulator was got for my Emmie's first--it didn't live but six
months, and she's never had but that one. I'd like Mrs. Perks to
have it. It would be a help with her fine boy. I'd have given it
before if I'd been sure she'd accept of it from me.' She told me to
tell you," Bobbie added, "that it was her Emmie's little one's
pram."
"I can't send that pram back, Bert," said Mrs Perks, firmly, "and I
won't. So don't you ask me--"
"I'm not a-asking anything," said Perks, gruffly.
"Then the shovel," said Bobbie. "Mr. James made it for you himself.
And he said--where is it? Oh, yes, here! He said, 'You tell Mr.
Perks it's a pleasure to make a little trifle for a man as is so
much respected,' and then he said he wished he could shoe your
children and his own children, like they do the horses, because,
well, he knew what shoe leather was."
"James is a good enough chap," said Perks.
"Then the honey," said Bobbie, in haste, "and the boot-laces.
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