Nid and Nod

Excerpt: 'A bell tinkled as the door of the little blue shop opened and closed, and continued to tinkle, although decreasingly, as the stout youth who had entered turned unhesitatingly but with a kind of impressive dignity toward where in the dimmer light of the store a recently installed soda-fountain, modest of size but brave with white marble and nickel, gleamed a welcome. In response to the summons of the bell a girl came through the door that led to the rear of the little building. As she came she fastened a long apron over the dark blue dress and sent an inquiring hand upward to the smooth brown hair. Evidently reassured, she said, 'Hello,' in a friendly voice and, having established herself behind the counter, looked questioningly at the customer.'Hello,' responded the boy. 'Give me a chocolate sundae with walnuts and a slice of pineapple, please. And you might put a couple of cherries on top. Seen Nod this afternoon?' The girl shook her head as she deposited a portion of ice-cream in a dish and pressed the nickeled disk marked 'Chocolate.' 'I've just this minute got back from school,' she replied. 'Aren't you out early to-day? 'No recitation last hour,' the youth explained as his eyes followed her movements fascinatedly. 'That all the chopped walnuts I get, Polly?' 'It certainly is when you ask for pineapple and cherries, too,' answered the girl firmly. She tucked a small spoon on the side of the alarming concoction, laid a paper napkin in front of the customer, and placed the dish beside it. 'Would you like a glass of water?''