The girls returned with food and drink, and somehow Solly and I had warmed up over the topsoil recollection, and we all became quite gay and animated and loud-talking, and I suppose it was a little like old times.
Then a little while later Celia took her purse in the other room, and when she came out she handed Dolores an envelope.
I knew what was in it, and I wanted to shout, 'My God, don't do it! That's all the money we have in the world!' But I couldn't get the words out, and Celia said:
"Dolly, here is something for you from us. It's a going-away present. We want you to have it before the others come."
"How nice," said Dolly. "What can it be?"
She opened the envelope, and a mixed expression played across her face—delight and dismay.
"Why, it's money!... A lot of money!... Thousands!"
She turned her head away in reluctance, then handed back the envelope.
"Oh, no, Celia. We couldn't accept it."
Celia refused to take it back. "Oh now, Dolly," she snapped, "don't be stuffy and proud and stupid! We have millions. We want you to have it. You certainly need it; you can't deny that. So please accept it and make us happy."