Aunt Jane sniffed, and then smiled slyly and proceeded to settle
herself for a nap. If the girl was a fool, let her be properly
punished.
Beth read for an hour, uncertain whether her aunt were intensely
interested or really asleep. At the end of that dreadful period old
Misery entered and aroused the sleeper without ceremony.
"What's the matter?" asked Aunt Jane, querrulously, for she resented
being disturbed.
"There's a man to see you, Miss."
"Send him about his business!"
"But--"
"I won't see him, I tell you!"
"But he says he's your brother, Miss."
"Who?"
"Your brother."
Miss Jane stared as if bewildered.
"Your brother John, Miss."
The invalid sank back upon her cushions with a sigh of resignation.
"I thought he was dead, long ago; but if he's alive I suppose I'll
have to see him," she said. "Elizabeth, leave the room. Misery, send
the man here!"
CHAPTER XII.
UNCLE JOHN GETS ACQUAINTED.
Beth went out to find Louise, and discovered her standing near the
stables, where a boy was rubbing down the sides of a sorrel mare with
wisps of straw.
"Something has happened," she said to Louise in a troubled voice.
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