For a moment only did they hesitate. Then with a sigh, which she tried hard to keep back. Nan said:
"Oh, yes. It wouldn't be right to take a hundred dollars just for two dishes."
"No," agreed Bert, "it wouldn't. Please give the money to the Red
Cross."
Miss Pompret looked from the children to their father, then to the china in the closet and next at the check in her white, thin hand.
"Very well," said the old lady. "Since you wish it, I'll give the hundred dollars to the Red Cross; and very glad I am to do it, Mr. Bobbsey. I would gladly have paid even more to get back my sugar bowl and pitcher."
"It would hardly be right for the children to have so much money," he said. "The Red Cross needs it for poor and starving children in other lands."
"Very well," answered Miss Pompret. "But at least let me give them back the dollar and thirty-four cents they spent to get the dishes. That was their own spending money, I presume."
"Yes," said Mr. Bobbsey, "it was. And I don't mind if you give that back."
So Nan and Bert did not really lose anything, and soon the disappointed feeling about not getting the reward wore off. They were glad it was to go to the Red Cross.
And the next morning, when they awakened to find the ground a foot deep in snow, their joy knew no bounds. They forgot all about rewards, china dishes, and even Washington.