Persis was looking at her in bewilderment. “Why, grandma,” she said, “what do you mean? Let me see.”
“Dear child,” said grandma, drawing Annis to her side, “tell me all you know of this grandmother.”
“I do not remember very much,” replied Annis. “I know she was named Mary Carter before she was married, and she lived in Virginia when she was a girl. She married my grandfather, Worthington Brown, and he went into the army when the war broke out. He was killed at the battle of Bull Run, and she died shortly after, leaving my father, her only child. Papa was sent to his father’s people in Maryland, and always lived with them. Mamma says,” continued Annis, slowly, “that papa never knew much of his mother’s people, because he was so young when she died, and everything was in such a mixed-up state after the war, and she thinks his father’s parents were afraid he would want to leave them, they were so fond of him, and so they never encouraged him to look up his mother’s people.”
Joy and sorrow were striving for mastery in grandma’s face; but she drew Annis to her very gently and said, “Then, my dear, you are wearing your own great-great-grandmother’s gown.”
“Hurrah!” shouted Persis, gleefully executing a dance around Annis. “Oh, grandma, this is a perfectly wildly thrilling romance. I am crazy to hear about it. You are sure?”
“Then, my dear, you are wearing your own great-great-grandmother’s gown.”
“Absolutely. My sister Mary married when she was very young, and led rather a wandering life, so that we seldom heard of her. My father had discouraged her marrying while still a school-girl, and there was not that frequent correspondence which otherwise would have existed. There was, too, very strong political feeling at that time, and my father felt bitter upon the subject, so a difference of views between him and Mr. Brown added to the coolness. All Annis’s facts are strictly in accordance with what we already knew, so there is not the slightest doubt in the matter.”
“Then—why, Annis, you’re my cousin! Hurrah! Oh, what a joke! I must tell Lisa. Oh, no; shall I? No, I’ll have a disclosure at the tea. Oh, Annis, I am perfectly ecstatic. Just think of it. Cousin! Cousin! do you hear? Isn’t it the finest thing that ever happened? Come, papa has been calling for ever so long. We’ll have to go, and I’m just on tiptoe to hear more. There, put that dear, sweet—what is she?—great-aunt of mine on your chain. Isn’t that a dear little frame, all set with pearls? There is a three volume novel in all this. I’d like to write it up. Good-bye, grandma; kiss your grand-daughter and your niece, and we’ll leave you to recover.” And the two girls sped down the stairs to where Mr. Holmes was waiting for them.
The big school-room certainly presented a most attractive appearance to Persis and Annis as they entered it. Lisa and Mellicent had already arrived and were among the reception committee, looking conspicuously lovely in their handsome costumes. Looking around, one saw a lavish display of Christmas greens and potted plants. Daintily spread tea-tables stood in one of the class-rooms; old family pieces of silver, china, and glass had been pressed into service, while on the walls of the large room hung old portraits of colonial sires and dames. Behind a bower of palms an orchestra was placed; the national airs, which were considered in order, seemed to stir the souls of the young people to an unusual degree, with such an air of dignity did they step about.