Mrs. Wallis noticed that Celia's hands were trembling, and supposed the magnitude of the gift had startled her, for she knew neither of her little daughters had ever owned a whole sovereign before. "It is indeed most kind and most generous of Uncle Jasper," she said, greatly pleased herself. "You are rich, Celia—quite a young person of property!"
"Yes," Celia, agreed with a smile. "It is a lot of money, isn't it? I shall buy—" She paused whilst she reflected on the many things that a sovereign would purchase. A vision of laces, ribbons and such-like trifles of feminine adornment passed before her mind's eye. Perhaps her mother guessed this, for after a moment's hesitation she advised:
"Don't fritter the money away, Celia. Uncle Jasper has given it to you to spend as you please, but do use your judgment in laying it out to advantage, and don't be tempted to get rid of it too quickly, for it will be nice for you to have money in your pocket whilst you are at the Tillotsons; you do not know what calls you may have on your purse."
"Oh, I'll be very careful," Celia returned, thinking this counsel unnecessary.
"That's right, my dear."
"Fancy having a whole sovereign of your own!" Joy exclaimed. "If any one had told you six months ago how rich you would be to-day, you would not have believed it. Why, Celia, do you remember what a long time we had to save our money before we could buy Eric a birthday present last year?"
"I don't want to remember it," Celia replied. "It was horrid being so poor, and having to scrape and save for everything we wanted. Oh, here comes Uncle Jasper!" He had finished his letters much before he thought he would.
As the conversation was taking a turn contrary to her liking, she went to meet the old man, who, after walking up and down the terrace a few times, sat down between Mrs. Wallace and Joy on the garden seat.
"I've given Celia a sovereign," he said, "and here's one for you, Joy. Well, aren't you going to have it?"
Joy was so surprised that she had made no movement to accept his gift; now, however, she held out her hand, and took the coin from him, stammering her thanks.