"I wish," said Mona thoughtfully, "they always stimulated me."
Mr. Arnold looked at her, but Jill broke in impetuously.
"Do you know about the Bethel Mission-room, Mr. Arnold? Will you go there on Sunday and preach to the people?"
He nodded.
"Yes, I have heard all about it from Mr. Errington, also about a certain red bag."
"Ah!" exclaimed Jack; "Jill has hidden that bag away somewhere since Mr. Errington went. I say it isn't fair, and Bumps and I aren't going to give her any more money till she tells us where it is."
"Yeth," echoed Bumps, "and we've looked everywhere, and Jill says, she won't give it to another clergyman unleth he is nith!"
"Am I nice?" asked Mr. Arnold, with one of his sudden smiles.
Jill looked at him gravely.
"I will bring it to you every Saturday," she said, "even if there's only a few half-pennies. But Sam gives us two shillings, and Annie threepence, and Norah and Rose give us some when we see them, so sometimes we have quite a lot. Only you'll tell us what you're going to do with it, won't you?"