Oh! I feel in good spirits to-night.

Even if Mr.Jones has not sold the plates I shall not complain." Mr.Jones assured his industrious pupil when she entered his dark little shop that he had "all but" got a customer for her.

The customer was a wealthy old gentleman, who had a passion for collecting china, and, in special, liked the work of beginners.

The old gentleman had looked at Primrose's plates, and had said that they were very fine, and had a certain crudity or freshness about them, which, for his part, he took to; and if she had three or four more lessons he felt morally certain that he would purchase her wares.
"He's a splendid customer, but he was most explicit on the point of more lessons, Miss Mainwaring," said Mr.Jones.
"But you have found me so many 'all but' customers who just wished me to have a few more lessons, Mr.Jones," said Primrose, smiling sadly.
"None like the present man--none like the present man, my dear young lady," answered Mr.Jones, rubbing his fat hands softly together.

"A man who likes crudity, and calls it freshness, ain't to be found every day of the week, Miss Mainwaring." Primrose admitted this fact, and, bidding her teacher good evening, without committing herself to any definite promise of taking further lessons, she turned her steps homewards.