Part 14 (2/2)
”No, it wouldn't. It would cost me something to part with my money, I don't deny; but not more--not so much as it would cost you to part with your books. And we would be about even there. And I would take first-rate care of them--and be glad to.”
Mrs Inglis sat thinking in silence for a minute or two.
”Miss Bethia, you are very kind. Will you let me leave the books awhile in your care? It is quite possible we may have no place in which to keep them safely. Children, if Miss Bethia is willing, shall we leave papa's precious books a little while with her?”
”I shouldn't feel willing to get the good of your books for nothing.”
Mrs Inglis smiled.
”You would take care of them.”
Miss Bethia hesitated, meditating deeply.
”There would be a risk. What if my house were to take fire and burn down? What should I have to show for your books, then?”
”But the risk would not be greater with you than with me, nor so great.
Still, of course, I would not wish to urge you.”
”I should like to have them, first-rate, if I could have them just in the way I want to--risk or no risk.”
Violet and David laughed; even Mrs Inglis smiled. That was so exactly what was generally a.s.serted with regard to Miss Bethia. She must have things in just the way she wanted them, or she would not have them at all.
”We could fix it as easy as not, all round, if you would only take my way,” said she, with a little vexation.
They all sat thinking in silence for a little.
”See here! I've just thought of a plan,” said she, suddenly. ”Let me take the books to take care of, and you needn't take the five hundred dollars unless you want to. Let it be in Mr Slight's hands, and while I have the books you will have the interest. I don't suppose you know it, but he had that much of me when he built his new tannery, eight years ago, and he has paid me regular ten per cent, ever since. It looks like usury, don't it? But he says it's worth that to him; and I'm sure, if it is, he's welcome to it. Now, if you'll take that while I have the books, I'll call it even--risk or no risk; and you can give it up and have the books when you want them. I call that fair. Don't you?”
Did ever so extraordinary a proposal come from so unexpected a quarter?
The mother and children looked at one another in astonishment.
”Miss Bethia,” said Mrs Inglis, gravely, ”that is a large sum of money.”
”Well--that's according as folks look at it. But don't let us worry any more about it. There is no better way to fix it that I know of than that.”
Mrs Inglis did not know how to answer her.
”Mrs Inglis,” said Miss Bethia, solemnly, ”I never thought you was a difficult woman to get along with before.”
”But, Miss Bethia,” said Violet, ”mamma knows that you wish to do this for our sakes and not at all for your own.”
”No she doesn't, neither! And what about it, any way? It's my own, every cent.”
”Miss Bethia,” said David, ”are you very rich?”
Miss Bethia gave a laugh, which sounded like a sob.
”Yes; I'm rich, if it comes to that! I've got more than ever I'll spend, and n.o.body has got any claim on me--no blood relation except cousin Ira Barnes's folks--and they're all better off than I be, or they think so. Bless you! I can let your ma have it as well as not, even if I wasn't going to have the books, which I am, I hope.”
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