Violet with difficulty repressed a smile, for she could not help thinking that Agnes must rather resemble her grandmother in disposition; she made no remark, but Ann said gravely:—
"I can never understand how any one can like to do that. What makes her so unkind?"
"I'm sure I don't know," Agnes answered, shrugging her shoulders, "it pleases her, I suppose; people put up with her, you know, because she has plenty of money, and she likes spending it. She gives me lots of presents. Look at this. She sent it to me on my last birthday."
Agnes produced a purse from her pocket as she spoke, and handed it to Ann.
It was a very handsome purse, evidently an expensive one, made of tortoise-shell with rims and clasp of gold.
"How pretty!" exclaimed Ann, and, having looked at the outside of it, she passed it to Violet who declared it was the most beautiful purse she had ever seen.
"Open it," said Agnes, "look at the inside."
Violet did so. The purse was lined with red morocco leather and contained a sovereign, several shillings, and a few coppers. It suddenly occurred to Violet that it was Agnes' intention to impress her with the sight of so much money—it seemed a great deal to Violet—and she shut the purse somewhat hastily and returned it to its owner, who slipped it into her pocket remarking that it was real tortoise-shell, and she believed her grandmother had given a good bit for it.
"I am sure she must have done so," said Ann, "especially if the rims and clasp are gold."
"Oh, they are," Agnes assured her, "real gold. Grandmother never buys anything that is not the best that can be had for money."