Carola Dunn Read Online Free PDF Page B

it to us,” Peter informed her.
    “We went across the bridge, like you said,” Michael put in.
    “As I said.”
    “As you said. We saw lots of boats, Lissa. I want to be a waterman when I grow up.”
    “Yesterday you wanted to be an ostler,” Peter said scornfully.
    “I expect you will change your mind several times before you are grown, Michael. That’s much better than being too obstinate ever to admit you might be mistaken. So you crossed the bridge, and then along the Strand and up Southampton Street.”
    “It was easy,” Peter said.
    “It was an awfully long way,” Michael contradicted.
    “I mean it was easy to find the way, sapskull, with Lissa’s instructions.”
    “Don’t call me sapskull!”
    “No, don’t, Peter. Your statement was not clear, and even if it had been, you know a gentleman does not call another hurtful names.”
    Peter flushed. “Sorry. Anyway,” he continued hastily, “we went to the kitchen and gave them the basket and said the crocks had been lent to Lord Ashe.”
    “And the man went away.”
    “And we were afraid he might think we had stolen the stuff.”
    “But then another man came and gave Peter the money!” Michael exclaimed.
    “A tip?” Lissa asked doubtfully. “It is far too much.”
    “Not a tip.” Peter frowned. “He didn’t look very pleased. He said it was a refund of the deposit. What’s a deposit, Lissa?”
    She explained. “But I’m sure five shillings is more than the lot was worth,” she said. “No doubt they overcharged Lord Ashe, thinking he would not notice and would not take the trouble to return the things. That must be why the man was annoyed at having to refund the deposit.”
    “Who cares if he was cross?” said Michael. “We’re rich!”
    “I’m afraid not,” said Lissa, casting a regretful glance at the two half-crowns before her on the table. “The money is Lord Ashe’s.”
    Peter heaved a sigh. “I thought it might be,” he said philosophically.
    “Oh.” Michael bit his wobbling lower lip. “You mean we can’t keep it? But the man gave it to us.”
    “Only because it was you who took the basket back, pet. It was Lord Ashe who paid the deposit in the first place, you see.”
    “But if he paid a whole crown,” Peter argued, brightening, “just to borrow some old pots, and not even caring if they were taken back, then he must have lots of money. He’s not poor like us. He doesn’t need it and won’t even miss it.”
    It was true. Lissa stared temptation in the face--and after a brief battle she won. To yield to the all too plausible argument would set her brothers precisely the example she feared.
    “That would be dishonest, Peter,” she said gently. “Indeed, it would be just as much stealing as if you picked a gentleman’s pocket of his handkerchief, however little he might miss it.” She missed hers, though, and she castigated herself again for so carelessly leaving it at the coffee house. She had not cared to tell the boys to ask after it. “You must take the money to Lord Ashe tomorrow, if it is fine.”
    “I suppose so.” Peter made a determined effort to be cheerful. “I daresay he may give us a tip. Do you not think so, Lissa?”
    “Very likely.”
    “Is it far?” Michael asked with deep foreboding.
    Lissa retrieved Lord Ashe’s card from her hiding place. “39, Dover Street, Mayfair,” she read, trying to recollect the map of London she had studied before coming to the great city. “Quite a way, I think, but there are lots of parks, so you may take a nuncheon and stop for a rest and a picnic.”
    “Is it across the river?” Michael wanted to know next.
    “Yes, you will cross Westminster Bridge, if I am not mistaken.”
    “We’ll stop on the bridge so you can look at the boats,” Peter promised.
    “I shall ask at the theatre tonight for precise directions. Someone is bound to know.”
    So next morning Lissa saw her brothers off, with a bit of bread and cheese and the two half-crowns in