"
"Louise dressed my hair this way," said Miss Merrick, a bit stiffly.
"Your maid?"
"My niece, Louise Merrick."
Patsy whistled, and then clapped her hand over her mouth and looked
grave.
"Is she here?" she asked, a moment later.
"Yes, and your other cousin, Elizabeth De Graf, is here also."
"That's just the trouble," cried Patsy, energetically. "That's why I
didn't want to come, you know."
"I don't understand you, Patricia."
"Why, it's as plain as the nose on your face, even if I hadn't pumped
Mr. Watson until I got the truth out of him. You want us girls here
just to compare us with each other, and pick out the one you like
best."
"Well?"
"The others you'll throw over, and the favorite will get your money."
"Haven't I a right to do that?" asked the invalid, in an amazed tone.
"Perhaps you have. But we may as well understand each other right
now, Aunt Jane. I won't touch a penny of your money, under any
circumstances."
"I don't think you will, Patricia."
The girl laughed, with a joyous, infectious merriment that was hard to
resist.
"Stick to that, aunt, and there's no reason we shouldn't be friends,"
she said, pleasantly.
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