“We will see about it, my dear,” returned Magdalen, unwilling to pledge herself. “But haven’t you got a fortune?” undauntedly demanded Thekla. “Something like it, Thekla. You shall hear about it after dinner.” And Magdalen felt her colour flushing up under all those young eyes. “Kitty Best said—” But here Mrs. Best interposed. “We don’t talk over such things at table, Thekla. Take care with the gravy. Did Mr. Jones give a lesson, this morning?” “Yes, a very long one,” said Vera. “It was about the exact force of the words in the Revised Version,” added Agatha, “compared with the Greek.” “That must have been very interesting!” said Magdalen. Vera and her neighbour looked at one another and shrugged their shoulders; while some one else broke in with the news that another girl had not come back because she was down with influenza; and Magdalen, suspecting that “shop” was not talked at table, and also that the Scripture passage could not well be discussed there, saw that it was wise to let the conversation drift off, by Mrs. Best’s leading, into anecdotes of the influenza. All were glad when grace was chanted, and the five sisters could retreat into the drawing-room, which Mrs. Best let them have to themselves for the half hour before Magdalen’s train, and the young ones’ return to the High School. She was at once established with Thekla on her lap, and the others perched round on chairs and footstools. Of course the first question was, “And is it really true?” “It is true, my dears, that my old great aunt has left me a house and some money; but you must not flatter yourselves that it is a great estate.” “Only mayn’t I have a bicycle?” began Thekla again. “Child, I believe you have bicycles on the brain,” said Agatha. “But, sister, you do mean that we shall be better off, and I shall be able to go on with my education?” “Yes, my dear, I think I can promise you so much,” said Magdalen, caressing the serge shoulder. “O thanks! Girton?” cried Agatha. “There is much that I must inquire about before I decide—” Again came, “Elsie Warner has a bicycle, and she is no older than me! Please, sister!” “Hush now, my little Thekla,” said the sister kindly; “I will talk to Mrs. Best, and see whether she thinks it will be good for you.” Thekla subsided with a pout, and Magdalen was able to explain her circumstances and plans a little more in detail; seeing however that the girls had no idea of the value of money, Paulina asked whether it meant being as well off as the Colonel and Lady Mary— “Who keep a carriage and pair, and a butler,” interposed Vera. “Oh no, my dear. If I keep any kind of carriage it will be only a basket or governess cart, and a pony or donkey.” “That’s all right,” said Agatha. “I would not be rich and stupid for the world.” “Small fear of that!” said Magdalen, laughing. “Our home, the Goyle, is not more than a cottage, in a beautiful Devonshire valley—” “What’s the name of it?”