“How joyous they are!” exclaimed Mrs. Douglas, her own face reflecting their happiness.  “You look envious, Robert.”

Then, turning to Miss Sherman, she added:  “I never tire of watching Barbara and Bettina these days.  I believe they are two of the rarest girls in the world.  Nothing has yet spoiled them, and I think nothing ever will.  It has been one of the sweetest things possible to see their little everyday charities since they have had money in abundance.  Before, they felt that every dollar their parents spared them was a sacred trust to be used just for their positive needs.  Now, their evident delight in giving to the flower-girls, to the street-gamins, to the beggars, to everything miserable that offers, is delightful.”

“Do you think Barbara will know how to be wise in the spending of her money?” asked Miss Sherman, with a constrained smile.

“As to the wise ways of spending money,” answered Mrs. Douglas, stealing a glance at her brother’s imperturbable face opposite, “everybody has his own individual opinion.  I, myself, feel sure of Barbara.  Before her money came, she had received the greater and far more important heritage of a noble-minded ancestry and a childhood devoted to unselfish living and the seeking of the highest things.  During these eighteen years her character has been formed, and it is so grounded that the mere possession of money will not alter it.  To my mind it is a happy thing that Howard’s money will be used in such a personal way as I think it will be.”

“Personal a way?” queried Miss Sherman.

“I mean personal as distinguished from institutional—­you know his first intention was to endow institutions.  For instance, within a week after Barbara received the lawyer’s announcement, she consulted me as to how she could best make provision for an old lady who has been for years more or less of a pensioner of her father’s family.  The dear old woman with a little aid has supported herself for many years, but lately it has seemed as if she would have to give up the wee bit of a home she loves so much and become an inmate of some great Institution, and this would almost break her heart.  Barbara was in haste to put enough money at her disposal so that a good woman may be hired to come and care for her so long as she shall live, and to provide for all her wants.  Also she remembered a poor young girl, once her and Betty’s schoolmate, who has always longed for further study, whose one ambition has been to go to college.  This was simply impossible, not even the strictest economy, even the going without necessities, has gathered together sufficient money for the expenses of a single year.  Before we left Rome, Barbara arranged for the deposit in the bank at home of enough money to permit this struggling girl to look forward with certainty to a college course, and wrote the letter which will bring her so much joy.

“Dear child!” she continued tenderly, after a pause; “the only bit of money she has yet spent for herself was to get the spring outfits that she and Betty have really needed for some time, but for which they did not like to use their father’s money.