“Money isn't everything,” said Mr. Price, looking round and shaking his head. “It's not much good, except to give away.”
His eye roved round the room and came to rest finally upon Mr. Potter. The young man noticed with a thrill that it beamed with benevolence.
“Fancy coming over without saying a word to anybody, and taking us all by surprise like this!” said Ethel.
“I felt I must see you all once more before I died,” said her uncle, simply. “Just a flying visit I meant it to be, but your father and mother won't hear of my going back just yet.”
“Of course not,” said Ethel, who was helping the silent Mrs. Spriggs to lay supper.
“When I talked of going your father 'eld me down in my chair,” continued the veracious Mr. Price.
“Quite right, too,” said the girl. “Now draw your chair up and have some supper, and tell us all about Australia.”
Mr. Price drew his chair up, but, as to talking about Australia, he said ungratefully that he was sick of the name of the place, and preferred instead to discuss the past and future of Mr. Potter. He learned, among other things, that that gentleman was of a careful and thrifty disposition, and that his savings, augmented by a lucky legacy, amounted to a hundred and ten pounds.
“Alfred is going to stay with Palmer and Mays for another year, and then we shall take a business of our own,” said Ethel.
“Quite right,” said Mr. Price. “I like to see young people make their own way,” he added meaningly. “It's good for 'em.”