“Tamea,” said Maisie bluntly, “would bankrupt Midas.”
“For money,” quoth Tamea, “I care not that much!” She snapped her fingers. “But why should I love money? Is money not to be used to make men happy and women beautiful in the eyes of their men, that they may hold them against other women?”
“I suppressed your ward’s spending frenzy as well as I could, Dan, but nevertheless we spent nearly two thousand dollars.”
Dan came close to Maisie. He had noticed for the first time how tired she looked; in her weariness he detected a wistfulness and a repression that told him Maisie’s patience had been sorely tried. “I suspect your work today has required all that you had of fortitude and courage, Maisie.” He pinched her pale cheek and then patted the spot he had pinched. “You’re a great comfort to me, Maisie.”
“Well, that helps, Dan. I think if Tamea had not been permitted to dash home with her purchases, array herself in fine raiment and return here to dazzle you, the day would have been quite spoiled for her. The excitement has been good for her, I think. She has not had time to grieve for her father.”
“My father dwells happily in Paliuli with my mother. I will not grieve for him again. I will live now to be happy.”
“And make others happy, too, dear?” Maisie suggested.
“Certainement! But first I must know others and learn how to make them happy.”
“We will be patient and teach you, Tamea. By the way, Dan, it’s time to close down your desk, isn’t it? I’ll leave Tamea to you now until you need me again.”
She gave him her hand and he noticed it was very cold.