She went over to a desk and began to write. A little later she handed a
slip of blue paper to Mr. Bobbsey.
"What is this?" he asked.
"A check for one hundred dollars," answered Miss Pompret. "It is the
reward I promised for the finding of my china. I have made the check out
to you, Mr. Bobbsey. You can get the money and give half to Nan and half
to Bert."
Mr. Bobbsey slowly shook his head. Then he handed the blue check back to
Miss Pompret.
"Their mother and I couldn't think of letting the children take the
hundred dollars just for having discovered your dishes, Miss Pompret,"
he said. "I thank you very much, but Nan and Bert would not want it,
themselves," he went on." They really did not earn the money. It was
just good luck; and so, I'm sure, they would rather the money would go
to the Red Cross. Wouldn't you?" he asked Nan and Bert.
For a moment only did they hesitate. Then with a sigh, which she tried
hard to keep back. Nan said:
"Oh, yes. It wouldn't be right to take a hundred dollars just for two
dishes."
"No," agreed Bert, "it wouldn't. Please give the money to the Red
Cross."
Miss Pompret looked from the children to their father, then to the china
in the closet and next at the check in her white, thin hand.
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