“What is that word?” she said to Mrs. Kennyfeck; “is it not 'Olivia'? Don't you see the end of the 'l' has been burned away, but the rest is quite plain?”
“So it is—upon my life!—and in Cashel's hand, too!” exclaimed Mrs. Kennyfeck.
“And what is that?” asked Miss Kennyfeck, triumphantly, pointing to another word.
Aunt Fanny, with her spectacles on, bent down, and examined it long.
“'Battlement.' That is 'battlement' as clear as day,” said she.
“What nonsense, aunt—it is 'settlement.' Look at what you call a 'b'—it is an 's.'”
“Cary's quite right. The word is 'settlement,'” said Mrs. Kennyfeck, in a voice tremulous with joy.
“And there!—I hope you can read!” exclaimed Miss Kennyfeck, “even without your spectacles—'paying'—'addresses.'”