"Grandpa Campbell, what was adopted by my own grandpa when he was a boy."
"Tell me about it, won't you, dear?"
So Peace related the pathetic story of the two souls who had gone into the Great Beyond, leaving the helpless orphan band to battle by themselves; of the struggle the little brown house had witnessed; of the tramp who came begging his breakfast, and afterwards proved to be the beloved President of the University; and of the beautiful change which had come in their fortunes when he had adopted the whole flock.
When she had finished her recital there were tears in the blue eyes, and the white-faced lady murmured compassionately, "Poor little sisters! There are so many orphans in this big world."
Something in her tone and the far-away expression of her eyes impelled Peace to say with conviction, "You are an orphan, too."
"Yes, child."
"Since you were a little girl?"
"Since I was five years old."
"Oh, as little as Allee when mamma died! Wasn't there anyone to take care of you? Did your Aunt Pen adopt you?"
"Aunt Pen has always lived with us. I don't remember any other mother."