“No, perhaps not--I never thought of that.” Then he proceeded to explain that he had made up his mind to spend two or three years in seeing the world, or at all events that portion of it to be found outside of England; and the first year he wished to spend on the Continent. Alone he feared that he would have a miserable time of it; but if his sister would only consent to accompany him, then he thought it would be most enjoyable; for he would have her society, and her experience of travel, and knowledge of German and French, would also smooth the way. “Now, Mary,” he concluded--it had taken him half an hour to say this--“don't say No just yet. I know I shall be an awful weight for you to drag about, I'll be so helpless at hotels and stations and such places. But there will perhaps be one advantage to you. I know you spend rather freely, and your income is not too large, and I dare say you have exceeded it a little. Now, if you will give a year to me, and have your house shut up or let in the meantime, there would be a year's income saved to put you straight again.” “That means, Tom, that you would pay all my expenses while we were abroad?” “Well, sis, I couldn't well take you away from your own life and pleasures and ask you to pay your own. That would be a strangely one-sided proposal to make.” “I must take time to think about it.” “That's a good girl. And, Mary, what would it cost to put this girl with some family where she would have a pleasant home and be taught for a year?” “About sixty or seventy pounds, I suppose. Then there would be her clothing, and pocket-money, and incidental expenses--altogether a hundred pounds, I dare say.” “And you would let me pay this also?” “No indeed, Tom. Three or four months would be quite time enough to put me straight; and if I consent to go, it must be understood that there are to be no presents, and nothing except travelling expenses.” “All right, Mary; you haven't consented yet definitely, but it is a great relief that you do not scout the idea, and tell me to go and buy a ticket at Ludgate Circus.” “Well, no, I couldn't well say that, considering that you are the only one of the family who has treated me rightly, and that I care anything about.” She laughed a little, and presently continued: “I dare say the others are all well enough in their way; they are all honest men, of course, and someone says, 'An honest man's the noblest work of God.' For my part, I think it His poorest work. Fancy dull, slow old calculating Jacob being the noblest work of the Being that created--what shall I say?--this violet, or--” “Fan,” suggested her brother. “Yes, Fan if you like. By the way, Tom, before I forget to mention it, I think you are a little in love with Fan.” Tom, taken off his guard, blushed hotly, which would not have mattered if his sister's keen eyes had not been watching his face. “What nonsense you talk!” he exclaimed a little too warmly. “In love with a child!”