"
"We have but two," said the doctor, in a slightly irritated tone of
voice. "My girls and their mother are ladies, Rachel, if they are poor.
I can't let them do the rough work. For the rest, they have their hands
pretty full, I can assure you. You have little idea, living here as you
do, how much there is to be done for a family of nine children."
"No, I am thankful to say I have not. But you had better come in, and
bring the girl with you."
With these ungracious words Aunt Rachel cast her eyes for the first time
upon Edith, who had stood a silent and uncomfortable listener while her
father and aunt were talking.
"Humph!" ejaculated Miss Harley, after looking her niece over from top
to toe with a piercing, scrutinising gaze, that seemed to take in every
detail of figure, face, and toilette, and to disapprove of all; "humph!
The child looks healthy, and that is all I can say for her. But bring
her in, Henry--Stimson and the boy can see to her box. I suppose you
will stay yourself for to-night?"
"I should not be able to go home to-night, as you know," replied Dr.
Harley. "But if my staying would be at all inconvenient, I can go to one
of the Silchester hotels."
His sister Rachel proved to be the same irritating, cross-grained woman
he had quarrelled with and parted from so long before, and he was a
little disappointed, for it is wonderful how time softens our thoughts
of one another, and how true it is that--
"No distance breaks the tie of blood,
Brothers are brothers evermore.
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