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bristles. But listen, Peg; I don't know in the world what was the grudge that thimble-man had against Shiana that he should give him such an out-facing in the middle of the fair, without cause or reason.

Peg.—That was exactly what was puzzling Shiana. He didn't know why anybody should do such a thing. He was often afterwards at the same fair selling shoes, and many a long while he spent watching thimble-men, hoping that he might get a good look at the man who had spoken to him that day, but he didn't. Most likely, if he had, the man's insolence would not have gone unpunished.

Kate.—It is a great pity that it was let go unpunished at first.

Peg.—The thing came too suddenly on Shiana. He hadn't time to think of what he ought to do, especially when he looked at the thimble-man and he was minding his own business, without taking any notice of Shiana's affairs. After a little time, in fact, he did not feel quite sure that it was that man who had spoken at all.

Kate.—Why then indeed, upon my word and credit, that is just what I was thinking myself too, that perhaps it wasn't he.

Peg.—Well, and wouldn't it have been nice work for Shiana to have done, if he had struck the man without having anything against him?

Kate.—Indeed, that's true.

Peg.—A long time afterwards, when Shiana used to be looking for the man, he had determined that if he saw him he would first go and speak to him, and then, when he had discovered from the talk