She now looked approvingly at her handsome, stylish nieces, and remarked, abruptly:
"I suppose neither of you girls have any idea why I invited you here, so I may as well inform you and get it over. In the first place, have either of you any entanglements?"
"Entanglements?" murmured Olive, questioningly.
"Entanglements?" echoed Ela, doubtfully, with a slight flush breaking through her usual pallor.
"I mean, are either of you engaged to be married?"—sharply.
"Oh, dear no!" cried Olive.
"No, indeed!" muttered Ela, still faintly crimson.
"Or—in love with anybody?" added their aunt, anxiously.
"Only with each other. We are chums and sweethearts," laughed Olive, as they looked at each other affectionately.
"Very good!" said curt Mrs. Ellsworth, smiling, as she continued: "And you are both as poor as church mice; I know that without asking. Now, don't color up and get angry. Poverty is inconvenient, but it's no disgrace. Besides, I intend to change all that."