diff --git a/headers/os/interface/StringItem.h b/headers/os/interface/StringItem.h
index a6708ade83..75d11115a1 100644
--- a/headers/os/interface/StringItem.h
+++ b/headers/os/interface/StringItem.h
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@ public:
 
 	virtual	status_t			Perform(perform_code code, void* arg);
 
+protected:
+			float				BaselineOffset() const;
+
 private:
 	// FBC padding and forbidden methods
 	virtual	void				_ReservedStringItem1();
diff --git a/src/kits/interface/StringItem.cpp b/src/kits/interface/StringItem.cpp
index d9afb1337d..42e1f0beef 100644
--- a/src/kits/interface/StringItem.cpp
+++ b/src/kits/interface/StringItem.cpp
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ BStringItem::BStringItem(const char* text, uint32 level, bool expanded)
 	: BListItem(level, expanded),
 	fText(NULL),
 	fBaselineOffset(0)
-{	
+{
 	SetText(text);
 }
 
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ BStringItem::SetText(const char *text)
 {
 	free(fText);
 	fText = NULL;
-	
+
 	if (text)
 		fText = strdup(text);
 }
@@ -142,6 +142,13 @@ BStringItem::Perform(perform_code d, void *arg)
 }
 
 
+float
+BStringItem::BaselineOffset() const
+{
+	return fBaselineOffset;
+}
+
+
 void BStringItem::_ReservedStringItem1() {}
 void BStringItem::_ReservedStringItem2() {}