The refused purse

An original fiction passage set in the nineteenth century.

Miss Linton was summoned to the morning room after Arthur’s examination. Mrs Harbury had arranged the report beside the teapot, with a small purse lying upon it. The purse had a bright clasp and appeared heavier than its size suggested.

“You have made him diligent,” Mrs Harbury said. “The examiner has written that his improvement is remarkable.”

Miss Linton thanked her, but left the purse where it was. She read the report again. Beneath the examiner’s praise was a sentence about Arthur’s own practice: he had brought his sums to the schoolroom after supper and asked to repeat the questions he had failed. Miss Linton remembered him bending over the page, his sleeve marked with ink, while the other boys had already gone outside.

“He has worked faithfully,” she said.

Mrs Harbury smiled as though this were modesty. “It is because you have taught him to work.”

Miss Linton folded the report along its original crease. “I have shown him what to do. He has chosen to continue.” Her voice was level, although the tips of her fingers pressed hard against the paper. When Mrs Harbury pushed the purse towards her, Miss Linton moved it back with the handle of the teaspoon.

“You make gratitude difficult,” Mrs Harbury said.

“I am grateful for the kindness,” Miss Linton replied. “That is why I would rather not accept what the report does not give me.”

Arthur appeared at the door before either woman could answer. There was ink on his thumb. Miss Linton turned the report towards him and asked whether he wished to see the examiner’s comments. He looked first at the purse, then at the paper. The purse remained between the untouched tea cups.

“Miss Linton turns down the purse out of principle, not ingratitude.”

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