As she passed Alexandra she stopped, making believe to pick up something that was not there.
"Oh, look what you've dropped!" she exclaimed, holding out two half-crowns.
Alexandra had come out that morning with only a few pence.
"It isn't mine," she disclaimed. "If you look in your purse you'll probably find it's your own money."
The girl made a pretense of doing so.
"No, that it isn't," she insisted. "It must be yours, right enough."
"But it can't be."
Before she could anticipate the movement, the girl slipped past her and raced down the stairs. Alexandra followed as fast as she could. But the girl was too quick for her. She was nowhere to be seen when Alexandra reached the street.
Only then did she comprehend the meaning of the generous subterfuge. She stood staring down at the money in her hand—two half-crowns, given her by a servant!
XIII