“And he added, moreover, that the British Museum had no specimens in its possession as old as these, and declared that he believed the Museum would be delighted to buy them, probably for three or four hundred pounds apiece!”
The listening four gasped and stared at him incredulously, but he went on undisturbed. “I said I would think the matter over and decide when I reached England. But meantime, for reasons which I have already enlarged upon, I have decided instead to give them to you, as a little testimonial of my deep gratitude. If, by any chance, you should decide that you would prefer to have the money, I will attempt to negotiate the sale for you when I reach London and—”
He got no further for, with a whoop of joy, Ted sprang forward and laid his bit in Mr. Ramsay’s lap and the others followed his example, striving very inadequately to express their wonder and delight.
But he interrupted them, smilingly. “I should like to inquire, just as a matter of curiosity, what form of investment each one of you expects to make with the sum you receive? Don’t think me too inquisitive please. It’s just an old man’s curiosity!”
“I’ve decided already!” cried Eileen. “I’m going to spend mine on another trip over here in the spring to visit you girls, and I’m going to bring mother with me. I wouldn’t have got here this time if it hadn’t been for Grandfather, for Daddy simply put his foot down and said he couldn’t afford it. And next year Grandfather may be in Timbuctoo or somewhere like it, and I wouldn’t have a chance. But I’ve just got to see you all again soon, for you’re the best friends I ever made.”
“And I’m going to save mine for some extra expensive courses in chemical engineering in college that I never supposed I could afford to take,” declared Ted. “I expected I’d have to go into business after I graduated, for a year or two, till I scraped up enough, but now I can go right on.”
“Of course, I’ll get my music now,” cried Phyllis, “and I’m the happiest girl alive!”
“Well, it’s hardly necessary for me to say that now little Ralph will have his chance to be strong and well, like other boys,” murmured Leslie, tears of joy standing in her eyes.
Then, to ease the tension of the almost too happy strain, Mr. Ramsay continued:
“But there is another member of this party that it would not do to forget!” He drew from his pocket a handsome leather and silver dog-collar, called Rags over to him, and, as the dog ambled up, gravely addressed him: