"Oh, there is no knowing! Pray is there any plate in the house, Katherine, or diamonds? You know the nephew's wife ought to have the diamonds!"
"Do not make me laugh, Ada, while the poor man is lying dead!" exclaimed Katherine, smiling. "The idea of plate or diamonds in this house is too funny!"
"Then are the spoons and forks only Sheffield ware?" asked her sister-in-law. "How mean!"
After a good deal more cross-examination Mrs. Fred rose to depart, her pretty childish face clouded, not to say very cross.
"I might have saved myself the trouble of coming here," she said.
"We are very glad to see you, and it will be a great help if you can send or bring the things I want."
"Perhaps, if I wait a little longer, this admirable Mr. Newton may find something," resumed Mrs. Fred, pausing, and reluctant to move.
"If he does I will let you know immediately," said Katherine; "but there are numbers of little drawers in the bureau; it will take him a long time to look through them all."
"Have you seen the inside of it?" asked Mrs. Fred, greedily.
"I have seen my uncle writing at it," returned Katherine; "but I never had an opportunity of examining it."