“Oh, is it that way? Then I must sue humbly to the power above and present my case, for indeed, if you didn’t want your fortune you would stop the wheels of division and perhaps be accused of contempt of court—which you don’t know a word about. You are quite a little heroine with your romantic story, and I am charged to bring you into court and prove you are Marilla Bond, entitled to a slice of this pie they are going to serve.”
“Are there four and twenty black birds in it?” she asked mirthfully.
“Oh, more than that, but there is no flaw in your claim, and I have unearthed a delightful relative for you, a cousin of your mother’s with whom much of her early life was passed. After her marriage they seemed to fall apart as people often do, and she heard you were all dead. She has three charming girls, fourteen, eleven and seven. Mrs. Warren made me promise to bring you direct to her; she is very 247 anxious to see you and will take good care of you.”
Miss Armitage had a stunned sort of feeling. There were relatives who might have a right to her. She was no longer a waif for some one’s charity.
“You will bring her back?” she said hurriedly.
“Oh, of course. They are not likely to make her a ward in chancery as if she had a million. Dr. Richards will be her guardian, you will like that, won’t you?” smiling at her bright-eyed watchfulness.
“I don’t quite know what a guardian is,” doubtfully, glancing at her oldest friend, “Mr. Borden never spoke of one.”
“That estate has not been settled yet,” remarked the doctor. “A trustee might answer for that.”
“A guardian is a person appointed to see that you have a good home, and do not waste your money, but I have heard of guardians who wasted it for you. We shall have the doctor bound securely, and you must have an allowance for clothes and various needs, such as ice cream and candy.” 248
Marilla laughed then. It seemed amusing and very delightful that the doctor should have some real right to her.