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Main > Fairy tale > All authors > Frank Baum > Fairy tale "Aunt Jane's Nieces"

Aunt Jane's Nieces

"

Uncle John's eyes were moist. He looked on Patsy most affectionately

and cast a wink at Lawyer Watson, who stood silently by.

"Thank you, my dear," said he; "but where's the money to come from?"

"Money? Bah!" she said. "Doesn't the Major earn a heap with his

bookkeeping, and haven't I had a raise lately? Why, we'll be as snug

and contented as pigs in clover. Can you get ready to come with me

today, Uncle John?"

"Yes," he said slowly. "I'll be ready, Patsy."

So the exodus from Elmhurst took place that very day, and Beth

travelled in one direction, while Louise, Patsy and Uncle John took

the train for New York. Louise had a seat in the parlor car, but Patsy

laughed at such extravagance.

"It's so much easier than walking," she said to Uncle John, "that the

common car is good enough," and the old man readily agreed with her.

Kenneth and Mr. Watson came to the station to see them off, and they

parted with many mutual expressions of friendship and good will.

Louise, especially, pressed an urgent invitation upon the new master

of Elmhurst to visit her mother in New York, and he said he hoped to

see all the girls again. They were really like cousins to him, by this

time. And after they were all gone he rode home on Nora's back quite

disconsolate, in spite of his wonderful fortune.

The lawyer, who had consented to stay at the mansion for a time, that

the boy might not be lonely, had already mapped put a plan for the

young heir's advancement. As he rode beside Kenneth he said:

"You ought to travel, and visit the art centers of Europe, and I shall

try to find a competent tutor to go with you."

"Can't you go yourself?" asked the boy.

The lawyer hesitated.

"I'm getting old, and my clients are few and unimportant, aside from

the Elmhurst interests," he said. "Perhaps I can manage to go abroad

with you."

"I'd like that," declared the boy. "And we'd stop in New York,

wouldn't we, for a time?"

"Of course. Do you want to visit New York especially?"

"Yes."

"It's rather a stupid city," said the lawyer, doubtfully.

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