"You are not poor," murmured Mrs. Trent in bewilderment, "and the Mill House is yours, and we never guessed it—at least, it seems Martin did! Oh, Cousin Becky, it appears incredible you could keep this secret to yourself! How blind we must all have been!"
"Then it is you who are our good fairy," said Polly, putting her arms around the old lady's neck and hugging her in a transport of affection and delight. "Oh, how glad I am! How wonderful it all is, like a real fairy tale, isn't it? Oh, boys, aren't you surprised? I am, and so very, very pleased!" And she hugged her again.
"You'll let the children stay at the Mill House with me, won't you?" Cousin Becky asked as soon as Polly would allow her to speak. Then, as Mr. and Mrs. Trent both gave assent, she added, "I feel sure Janie will let Edgar remain, too and when you see her, Mary, as you will be sure to do on your return to Beaworthy, you can explain matters to her."
"Won't she be astonished to hear Cousin Becky's not poor, Edgar?" whispered Roger to his cousin.
"Rather," was the emphatic answer, "but I am sure she will be very glad."
[CHAPTER XXIV]
CONCLUSION
EDGAR had spoken truly when he had said that his mother would be very glad to hear that Cousin Becky was not poor; but her first sensation on hearing the news, which she learnt from her sister-in-law's lips, was one of the deepest humiliation. By her timely assistance during Edgar's illness, Cousin Becky had won Mrs. Marsh's lasting gratitude; and the mistress of the Rookery had determined to see a great deal more of the old lady in the future, and had meant to be very kind to her in return for kindnesses received.
"The Mill House belongs to Cousin Becky and she is really very well off!" she cried, after Mrs. Trent had succeeded in making her understand the disconcerting truth. "Why, I never heard anything so extraordinary Never!"
"It appears Cousin Becky had considerable property left to her about ten years ago by a relation of her mother's," Mrs. Trent explained. "She never thought of mentioning that when she wrote about coming to Beaworthy, and we all took it for granted that she was badly off. On her arrival, she saw at once the mistake we had made; but I don't think we have any right to blame her for keeping her true position a secret from us. She did not deceive us; as a matter-of-fact, she never mentioned her affairs at all."