"You have Reason," say I. "It would not."
"Then what remaineth?" she said.
"Honesty afore Charity," I made Answer. "You must ask Master Hewet to deduct it from your next Quarterage, and henceforth give not away his Money when you have spent your own."
"He would never have grutched it!" cries she, kindling.
"Forsooth, then, all's said," quod I, and turned to go.
"Ned! stop," cries she, "how canst thou be so ill-natured?" and began to cry a little. "Why did you not, the other Day, as my Father bade you, put me on some better Method with my Accounts?"
"Why," said I, "I was about to try, when you started off like a young Deer from a Gad-fly."
"Well," saith she, "run this up for me, at all Events, and see if there be any Error in the Sum-total ... I shall be grateful to you either Way."
So I began,—"To Groceries, four-and-fourpence...."
"Four-and-fourpence!" cries she, "Four Pound four!"