Page:The Semi-detached House.djvu/237

 "No, my dear, I am netting, the purse is for Sir William; he asked me to net one for him, he is so careless about his money. He says he lost a shilling yesterday when he took some silver out of his waistcoat pocket to pay the omnibus fare, so I promised him a purse."

"And let us all subscribe and make up the shilling and fourpence he has lost, and you can present them to him in the purse; will you, Aunt Sarah?"

"If you continue to wish it, my dear, when my purse is finished."

"I am sure Sir William deserves it," said Mrs. Hopkinson, "I see he has sent £1000 to that Refuge which was on the point of being closed for want of funds."

"There," cried Blanche, "now that is always happening to me; I never take up a judgment against any one for a small fault, that he does not come out with some overpowering merit that I had never foreseen. Aunt Sarah, I withdraw my offer of the one and fourpence, and I allow that I was mistaken in thinking Sir William fond of money."