“Think so? Well, I don’t agree with you. Now, let us count.”
The canvas bags were opened, and they did count, or rather, Belle did. The money in the bags amounted to nearly ninety pounds.
“How glad I am I did not buy that new summer dress,” said Belle; “my old serge does capitally.” She held out the dusty, fusty garment as she spoke. “That
economy added three pounds ten shillings to my hoard. See, I will write down the exact amount.”
She took a sheet of paper, scribbled the sum in rough writing, and thrust it into the box.
“Eighty-nine pounds, seven shillings, and tenpence,” she said. “Even the pence are not to be despised. I shall be at St. Wode’s until next June. During that time I hope to save, by the strictest economy, quite fifty pounds more. We can then start our hostel almost immediately.”
“But what about food and furniture and all the rest of the things?”
“Well, each girl, of course, must bring her own share. Wherever we are we must live.”
“Must we?” said Annie in a very pathetic voice.
“Why, of course; it is absolutely essential that each human being should have his or her modicum of food. Now, don’t let us talk of anything so very elemental. Let us consider the charming picture which lies before us. A charming little cottage in the country—we shall get it for twenty pounds a year; the rest of the money will buy the furniture. There, Annie, you need not stay up any longer; you look as if you wished to sleep. Do sleep—enjoy it—look like an ordinary mortal to-morrow; for, if you don’t, mother will begin to take to you more than ever, and that will not suit my plans at all.”