“Tell ’em of the money you have chucked about,” said Mr. Wright.  “It’ll do just as well, and come a good deal cheaper.  And you had better go round alone to-morrow evening.  It’ll look better.  Just go in for another one of their sixpenny cigars.”

Mr. Kemp obeyed, and the following evening, after sitting a little while chatting in the shop, was invited into the parlour, where, mindful of Mr. Wright’s instructions, he held his listeners enthralled by tales of past expenditure.  A tip of fifty pounds to his bedroom steward coming over was characterized by Mrs. Bradshaw as extravagant.

“Seems to be going all right,” said Mr. Wright, as the old man made his report; “but be careful; don’t go overdoing it.”

Mr. Kemp nodded.  “I can turn ’em round my little finger,” he said.  “You’ll have Bella all to yourself to-morrow evening.”

Mr. Wright flushed.  “How did you manage that?” he inquired.  “It’s the first time she has ever been out with me alone.”

“She ain’t coming out,” said Mr. Kemp.  “She’s going to stay at home and mind the shop; it’s the mother what’s coming out.  Going to spend the evening with me!”

Mr. Wright frowned.  “What did you do that for?” he demanded, hotly.

“I didn’t do it,” said Mr. Kemp, equably; “they done it.  The old lady says that, just for once in her life, she wants to see how it feels to spend money like water.”

“Money like water!” repeated the horrified Mr. Wright.  “Money like—­ I’ll ‘money’ her—­I’ll——­”

“It don’t matter to me,” said Mr. Kemp.  “I can have a headache or a chill, or something of that sort, if you like.  I don’t want to go.  It’s no pleasure to me.”

“What will it cost?” demanded Mr. Wright, pacing up and down the room.

The rich uncle made a calculation.  “She wants to go to a place called the Empire,” he said, slowly, “and have something for supper, and there’d be cabs and things.  I dessay it would cost a couple o’ pounds, and it might be more.  But I’d just as soon ave’ a chill—­just.”

Mr. Wright groaned, and after talking of Mrs. Bradshaw as though she were already his mother-in-law, produced the money.  His instructions as to economy lasted almost up to the moment when he stood with Bella outside the shop on the following evening and watched the couple go off.

“It’s wonderful how well they get on together,” said Bella, as they re-entered the shop and passed into the parlour.  “I’ve never seen mother take to anybody so quick as she has to him.”

“I hope you like him, too,” said Mr. Wright.

“He’s a dear,” said Bella.  “Fancy having all that money.  I wonder what it feels like?”

“I suppose I shall know some day,” said the young man, slowly; “but it won’t be much good to me unless——­”

“Unless?” said Bella, after a pause.

“Unless it gives me what I want,” replied the other.  “I’d sooner be a poor man and married to the girl I love, than a millionaire.”