I enclose a check for
L100. It is a present to you. Use it entirely as you please--only, if
you use it for the purpose suggested in your letter to me, remember
that the responsibility is yours, and yours alone.--I remain,
sincerely yours, Wingrave Seton."
Juliet walked straight to her writing table. Her cheeks were flushed,
and her eyes were wet with tears. She drew out a sheet of note paper
and wrote rapidly:--
"My dear guardian,--I return you the check. I cannot accept such
presents after all your goodness to me. I am sorry that you feel as
you do about giving money away. You are so much older and wiser than I
am that I dare not attempt to argue with you. Only it seems to me that
life would be a cruelly selfish thing if we who are so much more
fortunate than many of our fellow creatures did not sometimes try to
help them a little through their misery. Perhaps I feel this a little
more keenly because I wonder sometimes what might not have become of
me but for your goodness.
"I am sorry that you are going away without coming to see me again.
You are not displeased with me, I hope, for asking you this, or for
any other reason? I am foolish enough to feel a little lonely
sometimes. Will you take me out again when you come back?--Your
affectionate ward, Juliet."
Juliet went out and posted her letter. On the way back she met
Aynesworth.
"Come and sit in the Park for a few minutes," he begged.
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