But David waited for his answer; and Matilda's eyes were all glittering, while her little head took its inexpressible air of self-assertion.
"I don't know—I can't, tell," she said, answering David as if she had not heard Judy;—"it might do nothing, but I have promised to use it on the right side."
"Promised whom?" said David. "Maybe it is a promise that need not stand. Promised whom?"
"Yes, whom did you promise, Pink?" said Norton.
Matilda hesitated and then spoke.
"I promised the Lord Jesus Christ," she said slowly.
She was looking at nobody in particular, yet her eye caught the expression of annoyance on Norton's face; she did not see the cloud of disgust and surprise that came over David's. He turned away. Judith's eyes snapped.
"Isn't that neat now?" she said. "We have got a saint among us, sure enough. Well—saints know how to take care of their money; we all know that. What are we poor sinners going to do for grandmamma's present? that's the question. I propose that we get her a prayerbook, very large, and black, with gilt clasps and her name on the cover; then everybody will know that Mrs. Lloyd is a good woman and goes to church."
"Be still, Judy!" said her brother sternly.
"Propose something yourself then," said Judith. "We can't do anything at Candello's, that's clear. I don't believe there's an innocent thing here beside tea cups. I've seen people drink brandy and water in tumblers; and bowls hold whiskey punch. Dear me! what a pity it is that good things are so bad!"