Kerry Read Online Free PDF Page B

she must in no wise reflect upon her mother, her beautiful little mother. Father would not like that. Father had told her to remember—!
    Was it the thousandth time she had said that to herself when the man appeared, a tall, dark, frowning creature with black, angry eyes and a hurried air.
    “You wanted to see me?”
    Then his eyes sought the box that stood at her feet as she rose.
    “What is wrong? You have brought back a coat?”
    Then Kerry lifted her wonderful purply-blue eyes under her shabby little hat, and unconsciously put her soul into them.
    “It is my mother’s coat,” she spoke bravely. “I have come to ask you to take it back. My mother has not worn it. It is just as it came from the store. My father is dead, and we cannot afford to keep it. We have no money to pay for his burial.”
    The man eyed her through with his little coal-black eyes that were like knives they seemed so sharp. When he saw that she was telling the truth his face took on a cunning look.
    “Let me see it,” he said, pointing to the box, his voice in no way softened, just sharp and hard as if he did not believe her.
    Kerry took the coat out of its wrappings and handed it to him. Its soft folds fell luxuriously over his hands. A glint of avarice came into his eyes. It was one of his best coats.
    Carefully he examined it in every little inch, inside and out. He saw it was not damaged. He could see it had not been worn. But his face was still hard.
    “I can’t take back a garment at the same price,” he said in that icy tone. Hope sprang up in Kerry’s heart.
    “But it has not been worn at all,” she pleaded. “It has not been out of the box except a few minutes when it first arrived.”
    “How do I know that?” His voice raked itself over her tender sensibilities.
    “Oh!” she said, and was very quiet, then reached her hand out for the garment.
    “I have to sell it for secondhand!” went on the proprietor, ignoring the outstretched hand.
    “What would you give for it?” asked Kerry quietly.
    The man continued to look it over, carefully examining pockets and lining.
    At last he pierced her with his keen little cunning eyes again.
    “I’ll have to take off fifty dollars,” he said, narrowing his eyelids. “It’s a rule we have—”
    Kerry made a quick calculation.
    “All right,” she said at last with a troubled look in her eyes. “If you will give me the cash right away, I’ll have to let it go at that. We must pay the undertaker at once.”
    The man went away quickly and returned with a roll of bills. His manner was suddenly cordial. He pressed the money upon her, counting it out rapidly. He almost hurried her away.
    Puzzling, troubled, wondering if she should have stood out for the other fifty dollars, Kerry hurried down the street, grasping the shabby little bag that held the money. It occurred to her that perhaps he thought she had stolen the coat, and wished to get rid of her as soon as possible before the theft was discovered. Or perhaps he feared that her mother might come and demand the whole of the price. As matters stood he had his coat, and fifty dollars to the good, and now he would probably sell it again at the original price. Well—it was done now. She must not think about that other fifty dollars. She was only glad to have enough money to cover the bill and a few dollars over. A great burden had rolled from her heart with the feeling that her father’s own money would pay for the last that they could do for him on earth.
    She was very tired when she reached the undertaker’s place, for it was a long walk, and her mind was weary beyond words. She had felt that she must save even the few cents her car fare would have cost.
    Kerry could see that the undertaker seemed surprised and relieved when she paid the bill. Was the whole world tangled up in worries about money? Even the fur man. Surely he had more than enough and to spare. And yet how eager he had been to keep that fifty dollars! Who knew but