‘Thank you,’ replied he, with kind earnestness; ‘I should like to be of use to you.’
‘It is just what I want. I am sure Arthur would like me to do it. You see this is what he gives me, and I am to buy everything out of it.’
‘The best plan,’ said John; ‘it never answers to be always applying for money.’
‘No,’ said Violet, thoughtfully, as she recollected certain home scenes, and then was angry with herself for fancying Arthur could wear such looks as those which all the house dreaded.
Meanwhile John had perceived how differently Arthur had apportioned the income from what his own intentions had been. He had great doubts of the possibility of her well-doing, but he kept them to himself. He advised her to consider her items, and soon saw she was more bewildered than helpless. He knew no more than Arthur on the knotty point of the number of maids, but he was able to pronounce her plan sensible, and her eyes brightened, as she spoke of a housemaid of mamma’s who wanted to better herself, and get out of the way of the little ones, ‘who were always racketing.’
‘And now,’ said John, ‘we passed over one important question—or is that settled otherwise?—your own pocket-money!’
‘Oh! I have plenty. Arthur gave me fifty pounds when we went through London, and I have twelve left.’
‘But for the future! Is it included here?’
‘I should think so. Oh!’ shocked at the sum he set down, ‘a quarter of that would be enough for my dress.’
‘I don’t think Miss Standaloft would say so,’ said John, smiling.