But still she gazed at the watch, as if it half-mesmerised her.
'I've felt in such a hurry to tell you about it—to show it to you,' said Jacinth. 'It seemed to be burning a hole in my pocket, as they say. I did so wish I could have shown it to some of the girls, but I thought it was better not.'
This last remark seemed to arouse Frances.
'Yes,' she agreed heartily, 'I think it was much better not.' Then, after a moment or two's silence, 'I wonder how much it is worth?' she went on; 'ten or twenty pounds, I daresay?'
'Ten or twenty!' repeated Jacinth; 'oh, much more than that. Forty or fifty at least, I should say.'
Frances gasped.
'What a lot of things one could do with as much money as that!' she said. 'I daresay it would be enough to—to'——
'To what?' said Jacinth, a little impatience in her tone.
'Oh—only something I was thinking of—some one who's ill and can't do what the doctor says,' replied Frances, confusedly.
Jacinth felt irritated.