"But what could you do with them, Miss Bethia?" asked Violet.

"Do with them? I could have the book-case put up in my square room, or
I could send them to the new theological school I've heard tell they're
starting, if I wanted to. There's a good many things I could do with
them, I guess, if it comes to that."

"But, Aunt Bethia, five hundred dollars is a large sum," said David.

"It ain't all they're worth. If your ma thinks so, she can take less,"
said Miss Bethia, prudently. "O, I've got it--if that's what you mean--
and enough more where that came from! Some, at any rate."

David looked at her, smiling and puzzled.

"I've got it--and I want the books," said Miss Bethia. "What do you
say, Mrs Inglis?"

"Miss Bethia, I cannot thank you enough for your kind thoughts toward me
and my children. But it would not be right to take your money, even if
I could bear to part with my husband's books. It would be a gift from
you to us."

"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 asserted 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 j