"We were talking of your grand fortune, and I asked if I might not tell Mr.—"
He stopped her with a movement, and another spasm crossed his face.
"You will make no exception," he whispered. "None whatever. My affairs will interest no one else. If you are interrogated, you must know nothing. Nothing," he added, impressively, "nothing whatever!"
Mr. Fern's recovery was almost as quick as his attack, although he did not resume the gaiety of manner with which he had opened the subject. After dinner he talked with Daisy, declaring over and over that she had been on short allowance long enough, and asserting that she must be positively in a state of want. She answered laughingly that she needed very little, and then suddenly bethought herself of something and grew sober.
"Do you feel rich enough to let me exercise a little generosity for others?" she inquired.
He replied with alacrity that she could do exactly as she pleased with whatever sum he gave her, and that the amount should be for her to name.
"You don't know how big it will be," she replied, timidly.
"I'll risk that. Out with it," he said, smiling.
"Supposing," she said, slowly, "that I should ask for a thousand dollars?"
"You would get it," he laughed. "In fact I was going to propose that you accept several thousand, and have it put in the bank in your name, so you would be quite an independent young woman. You must have your own checkbook and get used to keeping accounts. I will bring you a certificate of deposit for three thousand dollars, and each six months afterwards I will put a thousand more to your credit, out of which you can take your pin money."