"Entirely!" from Ethel.
"I should say so!" and Alaric brought up the rear.
Mr. Hawkes gathered up his papers and in a tone of regret ventured: "Then there is nothing more to be said. I was only carrying out the dead man's wishes by coming here and making the facts known to you. Mr. Kingsnorth was of the opinion that you were well provided for and, that, outside of the sentimental reason that the girl was your own niece, the additional thousand pounds a year might be welcome as, say, pin-money for your daughter."
Ethel laughed her dry, cheerless little laugh. "Ha! Pin-money!"
Alaric grew suddenly grave and drew his mother and sister out of Mr. Hawkes' vicinity.
"Listen, mater—Ethel. It's a cool thousand, you know? Thousands don't grow on raspberry bushes when your bank's gone up. What do ye think, eh?"
Mrs. Chichester brightened:
"It would keep things together," she said.
"The wolf from the door," urged Alaric.
"No charity," chimed in Ethel.