"Mark my words, if you let her carry off Ida, it'll be the last
you'll ever see of her."
"Try to look on the bright side, Rachel. Nothing is more natural
than that her mother should want to see her."
"Why couldn't she come herself?" muttered Rachel.
"The letter explains."
"I don't see that it does."
"It says that the same reasons exist for concealment as ever."
"And what are they, I should like to know? I don't like mysteries,
for my part."
"We won't quarrel with them, at any rate, since they enable us to
keep Ida with us."
Aunt Rachel shook her head, as if she were far from satisfied.
"I don't know," said Mrs. Crump, "but I ought to invite Mrs.
Hardwick in here. I have left her alone in the front room."
"I don't want to see her," said Aunt Rachel. Then changing her mind,
suddenly, "Yes, you may bring her in. I'll find out whether she is
an imposter or not."
Mrs. Crump returned with the nurse. "Mrs. Hardwick," said she, "this
is my sister, Miss Rachel Crump."
"I am glad to make your acquaintance, ma'am," said the nurse.
"Aunt Rachel, I will leave you to entertain Mrs. Hardwick," said
Mrs. Crump. "I am obliged to be in the kitchen."
Rachel and the nurse eyed each other with mutual dislike.
"I hope you don't expect me to entertain you," said Rachel. "I never
expect to entertain anybody again.
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