"I had my doubts about the girl when I gave it to her.

But she looked so poor, and seemed so earnest about work, that I was weak enough to intrust her with the garment.

But I will take care, another time, how I let my feeling get the better of my judgment." Before the individual had time to reply, Ellen came in with the vest, and laid it on the counter, at which the tailor was standing.

She said nothing, neither did the tailor make any remark; but the latter unfolded the vest in the way that plainly showed him not to be in a very placid frame of mind.
"Goodness!" he ejaculated, after glancing hurriedly at the garment.
The girl shrunk back from the counter, and looked frightened.
"Well, this is a pretty job for one to bring in!" said the tailor, in an excited tone of voice.

"A pretty job, indeed! It looks as if it had been dragged through a duck puddle.