"'Oh, I have heard it from those who were present at the reading of the will, that you are, when you are old enough, to have all. Think what a great lady you will be then! You will have servants of your own.'
"'I don't think I shall live till then.'
"'Oh yes, you will—or at least I hope so.'
"'And if I should not, what will become of all those fine things that you have told me of? Who'll have them?'
"'Why, if you do not live till you are of age, your fortune will go to your father and mother, who take all.'
"'Then they would sooner I should die than live?'
"'What makes you think so?' she inquired.
"'Why,' said I, 'they don't care anything for me now, and they will have my fortune if I were dead—so they don't want me.'
"'Ah, my child!' said the old woman, 'I have thought of that more than once; and now you can see it. I believe that it will be so. There has many a word been spoken truly enough by a child before now, and I am sure you are right—but do you be a good child, and be careful of yourself, and you will always find that Providence will keep you out of any trouble.'
"'I hope so,' I said.