Maria laughed. “Why, none,” she answered quite merrily. “Or as good as none. I have been telling you ever so long, George, that I must have some money; and I must. A good deal, I mean; to pay my housekeeping bills.”
“Just see what you have,” returned George. “I want to borrow it.”
Maria put her hand into her pocket, and then found that her purse was in her desk. She gave the keys to George, and asked him to unlock it.
The purse was in a small compartment, lying on a ten-pound note. In the purse there proved to be a sovereign and seven shillings. George put the money and the purse back again, and took up the note.
“You sly girl!” cried he, pretending to be serious. “To tell me you had no money! What special cadeau is this put by for? A gold chain for Meta?”
“That is not mine, George. It is old Dame Bond’s. I told you about it, if you remember.”
“I’ll take this,” said George, transferring the note to his pocket.
“Oh no, George; don’t take that!” exclaimed Maria. “She may come for it at any hour. I promised to return it to her whenever she asked for it.”
“My dear, you shall have it again. She won’t come to-day.”
“Why can you not get a note from the Bank instead of taking that?”