Across the Square .sx HILTON FRIARS .sx TOMMY BLANEY'S nose was pressed flat against the shop window , his blue eyes gazing seriously through a wisp of fair hair which would keep falling across his eyes .sx He pushed his lower lip forward and blew the strands away again and , at the same time , stood back from the window and rubbed his hands together happily .sx His sister Margaret would look beautiful in that dress , he thought wistfully , just like he imagined an angel would look .sx His eyes lit up with excitement as he dug his hands deep into the pockets of his duffle coat .sx He would buy it for her .sx And then , as the feel of the twopence halfpenny which his fingers closed upon revealed the cold result of his financial position , his happy expression faded .sx He gave a manly little shrug and turned slowly away .sx How much was it , anyway , he asked himself miserably .sx A lot more than he had in his money box .sx He sidled back to the window and looked for the price .sx Fifteen guineas it said , plain as anything- that was paper money that was .sx He stood thoughtfully looking at the dress from the doorway of the shop .sx ON the other side of the square , Michael Price paused in his dictating and stared absently down through the window of his office on the first floor of Bank Buildings .sx Behind him , Stella Travis , a discontented-looking girl with a notebook balanced on her lap above shapely crossed legs , looked casually at her long silver-lacquered finger nails .sx She was fast coming to the conclusion that she was wasting her charms on this new boss of hers , who seemed to look upon her as a mere dictating machine .sx If he didn't get on with this letter she would be late for her lunch date , and what's more she'd tell him so shortly .sx Michael watched the little figure standing in front of the shop window and wondered what could possibly be attracting a small boy so much in a window displaying outfits for a bride and wedding guests .sx He remembered that in his own childhood he spent hours looking into a shop that sold meccano sets , but ladies' shops never had any appeal for him .sx The child's attitude intrigued him until he just couldn't contain his curiosity any longer .sx He turned suddenly .sx " That's all now , Miss Travis , thank you- we'll leave the rest till after lunch , " and quickly gathering up his hat and gloves , he left the office .sx " What's got him ?sx " Miss Travis wondered , her curiosity taking her to the window .sx She saw Michael cross the square and stop in front of the shop window that had attracted Tommy , who had just disappeared round the corner .sx Michael scrutinised the window display in the hope of discovering what had so held the child's attention .sx Surely it couldn't have been the dresses .sx What a lovely creation in lace that was in the centre .sx He supposed it would be accompanying some lucky fellow down the church aisle soon .sx A little disappointed at not having his curiosity satisfied , he turned away and almost collided with Stella Travis .sx " Pretty , isn't it ?sx " she purred , as he raised his hat in some embarrassment .sx " Some lucky girl , " she pouted , and looked at him coyly .sx " Er-er-yes .sx I was just admiring the lace- quite a change from the usual woollens we see at the office , " he stammered clumsily .sx Why did Miss Travis always make him feel such an idiot- she was so poised and self-assured .sx She made no attempt to move away and he said firmly , " Well , I mustn't keep you from your lunch , " and quickly left her .sx Stella Travis was , however , far too thick-skinned to take that as a rebuff .sx THE next day as Michael sat in his office his mind wandered to that earnest little boy he had seen across the square the previous day .sx The ordeal of dictation with Miss Travis was over for the morning , thank goodness .sx Yesterday's encounter outside the shop seemed to have given her ideas and she had been casting coy glances at him all the morning .sx It was no good .sx He would have to get her transferred .sx She was far too much of an embarrassment for him .sx He would speak to the secretary about it .sx He went to the window and immediately forgot his problem typist when he saw the little boy outside the shop again .sx Tommy bent to take a ruler from the top of his stocking , held it at arm's length and surveyed the length of it .sx Then , with one eye closed , he tried to measure how many times it would go into the length of the bride's dress .sx He did this several times , much to the amusement of passers by , of whom Tommy was quite oblivious .sx Michael's eyes softened as he recalled his own childhood .sx He had good reason to be grateful to St. Edward's Orphanage for the opportunities which they had made available to him and which consequently led to the good position he now held in his firm .sx Little boys , therefore , always had a very special interest for him .sx He was out of his office and across the road at Tommy's side in next to no time at all .sx TOMMY was far too busy with his measuring to notice Michael , who couldn't help smiling at his serious little face .sx He put an arm gently on Tommy's shoulder .sx " Who's the lucky girl ?sx " he asked seriously .sx Tommy answered excitedly , " My sister Margaret .sx . I've measured- it's just right for her- it's as long as her " .sx Michael stifled a laugh and adopted a man-to-man attitude .sx " Does your sister want that dress ?sx " " She'd look beautiful in it,' Tommy said dreamily .sx Michael tried again .sx " Is she getting married ?sx " " She will be soon , and I want her to have that lovely dress .sx It's just like the one she told my little sister and me about in a story where the prince came from far , far away on a big ship .sx Margaret said she would like a dress like that when she married her prince .sx My sister's the best sister in the world , " he finished proudly , putting the ruler back in his stocking .sx " Have you any money ?sx " Michael asked him .sx " How much is fifteen guineas really ?sx I've got 12s .sx 7 1/2d .sx in my money box and I've got a super butterfly collection I could sell .sx My dad said it was worth a lot of money .sx " " Wouldn't your dad buy the dress for Margaret ?sx " Michael asked helpfully .sx " We haven't got a dad- or a mum , now , mister .sx They got burned when our house caught fire , " he said , almost without expression .sx " That's why I want to get the dress for Margaret- she looks after Tina and me , and she's beautiful and " .sx Tommy looked at the clock in the nearby church .sx " Ooh , it's late- I'll have to be going home for my dinner or I'll be late back for " .sx MICHAEL was too interested now to leave Tommy .sx " I'm going your " .sx He took Tommy's direction .sx " I'll see you across the road .sx . Where is your school ?sx " he asked .sx " In Bridge " .sx Tommy indicated the direction with a nod .sx " Just behind the " .sx Michael remembered seeing a small school near several rows of houses .sx He supposed it was probably the only school in the centre of the city .sx Tommy pointed to a tall , important-looking building rising high above the other blocks of buildings .sx " See right at the top , mister , where the curtains are- that's where we live .sx My Grandpa is the caretaker and Margaret and Tina and me came to live there after our house got burned .sx Margaret helps Grandpa now 'cos Grandma's ill but she's going to get a job " .sx He paused to consider and then chatted on .sx " It's nice living high up- you can see all over the town , and we can hear the big burr of the Town Hall clock when it's going to " .sx He burred several times in demonstration .sx Michael thought how quiet and lonely it must be at night living at the top of one of these buildings , when all the office workers had left the city and were spending their leisure hours at home in the suburbs .sx " How does it feel going to bed so high up ?sx " " Oh , it's nice .sx . " Tommy smiled up at Michael .sx " Every night Tina and me sit by the window looking down on all the twinkling lights while Margaret tells us a story .sx It's quiet and beautiful , " .sx " Just like being on a ship at night , I expect , " Michael said , " with the twinkling stars to light up the dark " .sx Tommy's eyes shone .sx " Have you been on a ship then ?sx " " Yes , I sailed back from South Africa a few months " .sx Tommy showed his admiration .sx " You would love to see the animals in the Game Preserve there , I " .sx " Sounds " .sx They turned a corner and Tommy pointed to an imposing looking entrance across the road .sx " That's where we live , " he said , and turned to wave goodbye as he crossed into the roadway .sx There was a screeching of brakes and a shout and Michael was just in time to snatch a white-faced Tommy back on to the pavement , the car just grazing his leg .sx " Are you all right ?sx " Michael's face was full of anxiety for the frightened child .sx The colour had drained from his face .sx Michael gently steered him across the road .sx " I'll take you home , " he comforted .sx Tommy had obviously had a nasty shock and Michael was just wondering what to do with him when a young girl came hurrying down the steps , her face flushed and her fair curls bobbing as she ran .sx Tenderly she placed her arms round Tommy .sx " Oh , poor Tommy , are you hurt , are you hurt ?sx " she cried .sx " You didn't look both ways before crossing the road like you promised .sx I saw you through the " .sx All her thoughts were for Tommy as she looked him over for hurts , and comforted him with loving words .sx " Oh , Tommy , nothing must happen to you , " she whispered as she clutched him to her , quite oblivious of Michael .sx She's little more than a child herself , Michael thought , and couldn't help staring .sx Her dark eyelashes lay damp and shining on her cheeks .sx She smiled then and opened her eyes- blue as the sea on a cloudless day .sx " Come along , Tommy , " she said , " Come and show Grandpa you're all right .sx " It was then that she noticed Michael .sx " Oh , I'm so rude .sx I thought only of Tommy .sx Thank you for saving him from a nasty accident , " she said shyly , her eyes full of gratitude .sx Her arm round Tommy , they went up the steps together .sx Michael stood for a moment feeling useless and very much the passer-by .sx The warmth and affection showered on young Tommy by the girl , who was obviously sister Margaret , brought home to Michael the absence of family affection in his childhood .sx He thoughtfully walked away .sx MICHAEL looked out of his office window very often after that and wondered whether he would see Tommy again , but several days went by without even a glimpse of him .sx Miss Travis constantly followed Michael's gaze and once she asked him if he was looking for anyone special .sx She knew now that she was being moved to another department , and as she did not seem to be making any headway personally with Michael she didn't mind , in fact the sooner the better and more luck next time was her motto .sx She had been told she would not be transferred until they got someone to take her place .sx " I see that dress has gone from the window over the way , " she remarked pointedly , " the lace wedding gown , I mean .sx . the one you were looking at a few days ago .sx . " " Oh that- I expect you'll be thinking of having one like that , " he said , with an attempt at laughing it off .sx He found it easier to evade her advances now that he knew that she was being transferred .sx " One of your many young men will be sweeping you off your feet , one of these days , " he went on provocatively , " Better mind your " .sx