“Why?” George asked. “And why didn’t you pay him from your brother’s money?”
“I couldn’t,” Thomas said, handing the pouch to George. George opened it, then whistled and handed it back. “That’s impressive, that is.”
“What is?” Eileen intercepted the pouch and looked inside. “By the Father, how much is that?”
“I don’t know,” Thomas looked behind them again. There was no sign of the farmer or anyone else following. He stopped and opened the pouch, counting the coins into his hand. “Fifty gold coins,” he said when he was finished. “Enough to pay for my schooling for the next two years and to set you two up in whatever trades you like.”
“Your mother’s dowry,” Eileen sounded at once impressed and horrified. “She gave you all of it?”
“Aye.” Thomas poured the coins back into the bag, feeling
