“Kate’s mother was a proud woman, too. From the day Kate left she never mentioned her name, nor would she let any one mention it to her; but I believe that secretly she lived in the expectation and hope of her return. It was like her when she died, five years ago, not to leave any will, and the lawyer has advertised, and tried in every way to find some trace of Kate. And now, like the spring in the locket, all at once unexpectedly it opens and everything is clear and plain.”
He turned abruptly to Rose, who had been listening intently to all that concerned her mother. “What did they say your name was, Rose? I ought to remember that, when I was a little boy in school if there was a little girl we liked very much we used to write on a slate,
“‘The rose is red,
The violet blue,
Sugar is sweet,
And so are you,’
and hold it up for her to see. Now, Rose, when I speak of the property your grandmother has left you may think you are going to be an heiress. And I want to tell you the first thing that you will be nothing of the kind. My brother left everything to his wife, and she had no more business sense than that cat, so when she died there was very little left. I don’t know the exact amount but somewhere about three thousand dollars. The proofs are sufficient that you are Kate’s child, so there will be no trouble there. But you understand that there isn’t enough for you to go to seaside summer resorts, or to fly very high in the fashionable world.”
Rose laughed outright. “Why, I don’t know anything about either seaside summer resorts, or the fashionable world, and never expect to.”
“Just as well; it’s a pity more women, young and old, can’t say the same. But as I was going to say, if you are willing to use strict economy there will be enough to take care of you at least till you are through school.”
Rose’s eyes sparkled with joy. “Oh, if there is only enough for that it is all I ask! Once I have education to teach I can take care of myself.”