He took up the newspaper in sign of dismissal, but Mollie sat her ground, flushing and knitting her brows.
“Uncle Bernard, you are an angel, and I’m ever so much obliged, but please mightn’t we have a fixed sum? It would be so much more comfortable! If it is left like this, we should not know what you would think reasonable or extravagant!”
“And in the other case, I should not know it of you! No; it must be left entirely to your discretion. Get what you please, and as much as you please. I make no restrictions. As I have said before, money is no object to me, but it is my great aim at present to understand your position as to it.”
“I understand, but it’s very awkward!” sighed Mollie. Her forehead was puckered with thought; she stroked her soft little chin in thoughtful fashion. “I should like to please you, but I am so completely in the dark. A man’s ideas are so different from a girl’s. If I get all I think necessary, you may think me extravagant!”
“Very possibly I may.”
“And if I get less than the best, you might think me mean.”
“Very possibly again.”
Mollie made an involuntary gesture of impatience, then laughed and tossed her head.
“Uncle Bernard, it is hopeless to try to understand you. There is only one thing to be done; since I don’t know how to please you, I must take extra good care to please myself.”
“A most sensible conclusion! I congratulate you upon it. I have, however, one request to make. It is my wish that you and your sister should be independent of each other; each acting exactly as she thinks fit, without reference to the other’s wishes. Is there anything more that you wish to say? If not, may I suggest that I am generally left free from interruption after lunch?”