"Nothing that has passed between Miss Brettan and me can affect her right to your testimony to the two years that she has lived with you; I should like her to know I said so."
"I will tell her," affirmed his mother. "What are you going to do?"
"It's getting late.... By the way, there's another thing. It will be a long while before she finds another home, at the best; she mustn't think I have anything to do with it, but I want her to take some money before she goes, to keep her from distress.... Where did I leave my hat?"
"You want me to persuade her to take some money, as if it were from me?"
"Yes, as if it were from you—fifty pounds—to keep her from distress.... Did I hang it up outside?"
His mother went across to him and wound her arms about his neck.
"Can you spare so much, Philip?"
"I have been putting by," he said, "for some time."