"She asked me for some money the other day," Dolly answered as easily as she could.
"You didn't give it to her?"
"I have given her part; I had not the whole."
"Haven't you any?"
"Yes, mother, but not enough to give Margaret all she wants."
"Let her have what you've got, and write your father to send you some. I never like to keep servants waiting. What's theirs, isn't yours; and besides, they never serve you so well, and you're in their power."
"Mother, I want to keep a little in the house, for every day calls, till I get some more."
"Your father will send it immediately. Why he don't come himself, I don't see. I'm not gaining, all alone in this wilderness, with nothing but the trees of Brierley Park to look at. I can't think what your father is dreaming about!"
Dolly was silent, and hoped the subject had blown over. Yet it could not blow over for ever, she reflected. What was she to do? Then her mother startled her again.
"Dolly have you told your father that you want money?"