He paused awaiting a reply, but as Dorcas still said nothing, continued.

"You will remember that you told me quite recently that you found you
had 1,500 pounds to your credit, therefore I felt quite sure that
you would not grudge 1,000 pounds of it to enable me to fulfil this
duty--this semi-divine duty."

"Oh!" said Dorcas. "As a matter of fact I intended to spend that 1,000
pounds, or much of it, otherwise. There are some people here whom I
wanted to help, but fortunately I had not mentioned this to them, so
they will have to do without the money and their holiday; also the
children cannot be sent to school. And, by the way, how is Tabbie to be
educated in this far-away place?"

"I am sorry, dear, but after all private luxuries, including that of
benevolence, must give way to sacred needs, so I will write to the Dean
that the money will be forthcoming when it is needed. As for Tabitha's
education, of course we will undertake it between us, at any rate for
the next few years."

"Yes, Thomas, since you have passed your word, or rather my word, the
money will be forthcoming. But meanwhile, if you can spare me the odd
500 pounds, I suggest that I should stay here with Tabbie, who could
continue to attend the college as a day-scholar, while you get us some
place ready to live in among these savages, the Sneezers, or whatever
they are called."

"My dear," answered Thomas, "consider what you ask. You are in perfect
health and so is our child. Would it not, then, be a downright scandal