My funds were low, and I might need what change I had during the day.

And so it proved! As I went to the office in which I was engaged, some small article of ornament caught my eye in a shop window.
"'Beautiful!' said I, as I stood looking at it.

Admiration quickly changed into the desire for possession; and so I stepped in to ask the price.

It was just two dollars.
"'Cheap enough,' thought I.And this very cheapness was a further temptation.
"So I turned out the contents of my pockets, counted them over, and found the amount to be two dollars and a quarter.
"'I guess I'll take it,' said I, laying the money on the shopkeeper's counter.
"'Better have paid Mrs.Blake.' This thought crossed my mind, an hour afterwards, by which time, the little ornament had lost its power of pleasing.

'So much would at least have been saved.' "I was leaving the table, after tea, on the evening that followed, when the waiter said to me-- "'Mrs.Blake is at the door, and wishes to see you.' "I felt worried at hearing this; for there was no change in my pockets, and the poor washerwoman, had, of course, come for her money.
"'She's in a great hurry,' I muttered to myself as I descended to the door.
"'You'll have to wait until you bring home my clothes next week, Mrs.Blake.' I havn't any change this evening.' "The expression of the poor woman's face, as she turned slowly away, without speaking, rather softened my feelings.
"'I'm sorry,' said I--'but, it can't be helped now.