“No, it wouldn’t. It would cost me something to part with my money, I don’t deny; but not more—not so much as it would cost you to part with your books. And we would be about even there. And I would take first-rate care of them—and be glad to.”
Mrs Inglis sat thinking in silence for a minute or two.
“Miss Bethia, you are very kind. Will you let me leave the books awhile in your care? It is quite possible we may have no place in which to keep them safely. Children, if Miss Bethia is willing, shall we leave papa’s precious books a little while with her?”
“I shouldn’t feel willing to get the good of your books for nothing.”
Mrs Inglis smiled.
“You would take care of them.”
Miss Bethia hesitated, meditating deeply.
“There would be a risk. What if my house were to take fire and burn down? What should I have to show for your books, then?”
“But the risk would not be greater with you than with me, nor so great. Still, of course, I would not wish to urge you.”
“I should like to have them, first-rate, if I could have them just in the way I want to—risk or no risk.”