"Well," said Mrs. Copley, watching her,—"now you have tired yourself out again; and for what?"
"O mother, it was a very great sight!" said Dolly. "I wish you had been along. I think it has given me the best notion of the greatness of England that I have got from anything yet."
"Money isn't everything," said Mrs. Copley scornfully. "I dare say we have just as good banks in America."
"Father says, there is nothing equal to it in the world."
"That is because your father is so taken with everything English. He'd be sure to say that. I don't know why a bank in America shouldn't be as good as a bank here, or anywhere."
"It isn't that, mother. A bank might be good, in one sense; but it could not be such a magnificent establishment as this, anywhere but in England."
"Why not?"
"Oh, the abundance of wealth here, mother; and the scale of everything; and the superb order and system. English system is something beautiful." And Dolly went on to explain to her mother the arrangements of the bank, and in especial the order taken for the preservation and gradual destruction of the redeemed notes.
"I should like to know what is the use of such things as banks at all?" was Mrs. Copley's unsatisfied comment.
"Why mother? don't you know? they make business so much easier, and safer."