said Harry, who had gotten over
his slight embarrassment, and then spoke in a very business sort of
manner.

Not so Doctor Wadsworth; he seemed very much mortified, and looked as
if he wished he was away from that scene.

"Mr. Bennett, I spoke to you about this report, and told you how false
it was, did I not?"

"Oh, yes, madam; but you see--"

"You still believe this, even when I again tell you that neither I nor
my daughters have a dollar in the world beyond the small amount I have
now from the sale of my household effects? I assure you, sir, I speak
the truth," said Mrs. Brownson, in a tone and manner that would have
enforced belief.

But Harry Bennett said, triumphantly:

"Madam, I have seen Mr. Brownson's will."

"_That_ will, my dear sir, is not worth the paper it is written on.
Mr. Brownson was out of his _head_, and _imagined_ he was possessed of
that sum in bonds and stock. If you can find any such possession, no
one would welcome it more gladly than I. You can readily prove the
truth."

Harry Bennett gazed bewildered from his mother-in-law to Doctor
Wadsworth, and then said in a low voice, as if to himself:

"Caught and caged."

"And I am glad of it," exclaimed the doctor, who was truly glad of
anything to end that very embarrassing interview. "Come, Bennett, we
must arrange our trip to suit the extent of our purse, and be happy
with the prizes we have won."

"Well, madam, I must say that the old gentleman's will _was_ worth
something. For I'll own up now, it helped very much to secure you
_one_ very nice young man for your son. I'll speak a word for him,
although he has been _done up to a very Brown son!_ I'm ready now,
Wadsworth, and we won't shorten our trip one mile; for _I've_ got a
fortune, thanks to my old uncle. Yes, and _another_, I'll have to
admit (there she is now), thanks to her father's will."

Mrs. Brownson could not resist a smile. She had no misgivings about
her children's future happiness. If they had not already secured their
husbands' affection, she knew they would soon; for who could help
loving such lovely girls!

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EDNA'S SACRIFICE AND OTHER STORIES***

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