"Forty thousand dollars," said Mary, "at four per cent is sixteen hundred. Sixteen hundred divided by seven is how much?"
"Nothing," said Gay promptly. And all the family laughed, except Arthur, who was trying to balance a quill pen on his thumb.
"I might," said Mr. Gilpin helplessly, "be able to get you five per cent or even five and a half."
"You forget," said Maud, the second in age, and by some thought the first in beauty, "that we are father's children. Do you think he ever troubled his head about five and a half per cent, or even," she finished mischievously, "six?"
Arthur, having succeeded in balancing the quill for a few moments, laid it down and entered the discussion.
"What has been decided?" he asked. His voice was very gentle and uninterested.
"It's an awful pity mamma isn't in a position to help us," said Eve.
Eve was the third. After her, Arthur had been born; and then, all on a bright summer's morning, the triplets, Lee, Phyllis, and Gay.
"That old scalawag mamma married," said Lee, "spends all her money on his old hunting trips."
"Where is the princess at the moment?" asked Mr. Gilpin.