"Fifteen hundred pounds--and our costs," answered Palethorpe. "I hope you're satisfied?"
Jeckie gave him a queer, shrewd, enigmatical look.
"Aye, I'm satisfied!" she said in a low voice. "I should ha' made Albert Grice a rare good wife and George Grice a saving daughter-in-law, but--yes, I'm satisfied. And--I know well enough what I shall do with it--as George Grice'll find out! So--I'm worth fifteen hundred pound? That's one thousand five hundred! Very well! And--I'm much obliged to you."
"Write out a cheque for Miss Farnish for one thousand five hundred pounds," he said. "And she'll give us a receipt. Now Miss Farnish," he went on, as Overthwaite produced a cheque-book, "You'll want to bank this money, no doubt? If you like, I'll introduce you to the Old Bank."
"Much obliged to you," answered Jeckie. "I have some money of my own in the Penny Bank, but of course, it's naught much. Yes, I'll go to the Old Bank, if you please, Mr. Palethorpe. And--don't I owe you something?"
"Nothing!" answered Palethorpe, with a smile. "We made Grice pay your costs--every penny."
"I hope you charged him plenty," said Jeckie.
Palethorpe laughed, and presently handing her the cheque, took her off to the Old Bank and introduced her to its manager. Half an hour later, Jeckie, with a virgin cheque-book in her hand, burst in upon Rushie.
"There now, Rushie!" she said, "didn't I tell you there'd happen be better times i' store for us. You can drop that sewing--we've done with it. We'll hand it over to Mrs. Thompson; she'll finish it and be glad o' the job an' all. But--we've done wi' that."
Rushie dropped her needle into the folds of the linen and stared.
"Whatever's happened?" she demanded. "You're all red, like!"
"Never you mind if I'm blue or green," said Jeckie. "I've made them Grices pay!--I never told you, but I put t'lawyers on to Albert for breach of promise. And of course there was no defence, and he's had to pay, or old George has paid for him, and I've got the money, and it's safe in the bank!"
"How much?" asked Rushie eagerly. "A lot?"
"No, I shan't tell!" replied Jeckie, with a firm shake of her head. "Then you won't know when father asks, for I certainly shan't tell him. But now, Rushie, you listen here. Take all this stuff to Mrs. Thompson and ask her if she'll finish it off. And see to your own and father's dinner--I shan't be in for dinner; I've important business to see to, and I shall be out till evening. Now don't go trailing about the town, Rushie--be a good girl, and you'll hear news when I come home."