“O Betty!” cried Bobby. “The balloon man is coming. I can hear his horn.”
“I can see him,” said Betty. “Just look!”
“My!” said Bobby. “Aren’t they pretty? I wish I could have a red balloon.”
“Let’s ask Mother if we can buy one,” said Betty.
Bobby ran and Betty ran, but Betty ran the faster.
“O Mother!” cried Betty. “Please give me ten cents. I want to buy a balloon.”
“Please give me ten cents,” said Bobby. “I want to buy a red balloon. Just look at it, Mother!”
“You have been good children today,” said Mother. “You may each buy a balloon.”
Mother gave each of them ten cents and they ran out to the street.
The balloon man saw them coming and cried, “Balloons! Will you buy a balloon?”
“Please, sir,” said Bobby. “I will buy that red balloon. How much is it?”
“Ten cents,” answered the balloon man.
“Here is a dime,” said Bobby.
“Take hold of the string, little boy,” said the man. “Don’t let it get away from you.”
“Please, sir,” said Betty. “I want to buy a balloon.”
“Which one will you have, little girl?” asked the balloon man.
“I want a yellow balloon, if you please,” said Betty. “Here is a dime.”
The balloon man took the dime and said, “Be careful, Miss. Keep hold of the string.”