“If she will accept me as her teacher the education need cost but little,” remarked Captain Raymond.
“And I,” said Mrs. Elsie Travilla, “must claim the privilege of supplying at least a part of her clothing; for as my dear mother’s relative she seems very near to me.”
“And what is left for me to do?” asked Mr. Lilburn with a comical look of chagrin and dismay.
“Why, sir, you might supply pocket-money,” suggested Zoe.
“Or settle a few thousands upon her so that she need not feel absolutely penniless,” added Edward.
“Ah ha! ah ha! um hm! that’s no so bad an idea, cousin,” returned the old gentleman with a humorous look and smile; “and it is to be hoped our bonny lassie may not be averse to receiving it from ‘a kinsman near, a clansman true;’ though the kin be not so near as one might wish.”
“Yet if you adopt her that need make but little difference,” Edward laughingly returned.
“Quite true, sir, and whether that is done or no will rest wi’ the sweet lassie hersel’,” said the old gentleman, relapsing into his Scottish brogue. “She is one any man might be proud to call his daughter.”
“So we all think,” said Elsie Leland, “and Lester and I would be glad to give her a home at Fairview. She would make a desirable companion for Evelyn, we think.”