“Oh, Mrs. Treble! We none of us know——”
“Yes we do, too,” declared the lady from Ypsilanti, interrupting Ruth. “My husband’s mother was Peter Stower’s sister. Perhaps my Lillie shall have all the property—and this ugly old house, too. I tell you what I’ll do first thing, when it comes into my hands as guardian of my child.”
Ruth and Agnes were speechless. Mrs. Treble was more passionate than she had ever been before.
“I shall tear this ugly old house down—that’s what I’ll do,” Mrs. Treble declared. “I’ll raze it to the ground——”
Aunt Sarah suddenly advanced into the hall. Her black eyes flashed as though there were sparks in them.
“You will do what?” she asked, in a low, hoarse voice.
“I’ll tear down the house. It is no good.”
“This beautiful old house!” groaned Agnes, forgetting about the ghost at that moment.
Aunt Sarah’s wrath was rising. It broke the bonds she had put upon her tongue so many years before.
“You will tear this house down?” she repeated. “Niece Ruth! is there any chance of this woman getting control of Peter’s property?”