Hyley was much larger and better than this, you know, and was left to poor papa, who sold it just before he died." Her face clouded as she spoke of her father's death.

"I can't speak about that without pain even now," she said softly, "though I was only nine years old when it happened.

But one can suffer a great deal at nine years old." And then, after a little pause, she went on to speak of her Yorkshire home.
"My aunt and uncle Mercer are so kind to me; and yet they are neither of them really related to me.

My aunt Mary died very young, when her first baby was born, and the poor little baby died too: and uncle Mercer inherited the property from his wife, you see.

He married again after two years, and his second wife is the dearest, kindest creature in the world.