She then dismissed her maid, and went up stairs, and soon returned with two guineas, a crown piece, and three shillings in her hand.
"There," said she, smiling, "I am sorry for you, but that is all the money I have in the world."
The boy's eyes glittered at sight of the coin: he rammed the silver into his pocket with hungry rapidity; but he shook his head about the gold.
"I'm afeard o' these," said he, and eyed them mistrustfully in his palm. "These be the friends that get you your throat cut o' dark nights. Mistress, please you keep 'em for me, and let me have a shilling now and then when I'm dry."
"Nay," said Kate, "but are you not afraid I shall spend your money, now I have none left of my own?"
Tom seemed quite struck with the reasonableness of this observation, and hesitated. However, he concluded to risk it.
"You don't look one of the sort to wrong a poor fellow," said he; "and besides, you'll have brass to spare of your own before long, I know."
Kate opened her eyes.
"Oh, indeed!" said she; "and pray, how do you know that?"
Mr. Leicester favored her with a knowing wink. He gave her a moment to digest this, and then said, almost in a whisper,—