The tears sprang for a moment to Mrs. Montgomery's
eyes, and she indulged in a proud little jerk of the head.
"I don't know how you have found that out!" she exclaimed.
"By a philosophic trick--by what they call induction. You know you
have always your option of contradicting me. But kindly answer me a
question. Don't you give your brother money? I think you ought to
answer that."
"Yes, I have given him money," said Mrs. Montgomery.
"And you have not had much to give him?"
She was silent a moment. "If you ask me for a confession of poverty,
that is easily made. I am very poor."
"One would never suppose it from your--your charming house," said the
Doctor. "I learned from my sister that your income was moderate, and
your family numerous."
"I have five children," Mrs. Montgomery observed; "but I am happy to
say I can bring them up decently."
"Of course you can--accomplished and devoted as you are! But your
brother has counted them over, I suppose?"
"Counted them over?"
"He knows there are five, I mean. He tells me it is he that brings
them up."
Mrs. Montgomery stared a moment, and then quickly--"Oh yes; he
teaches them Spanish."
The Doctor laughed out. "That must take a great deal off your hands!
Your brother also knows, of course, that you have very little money."
"I have often told him so!" Mrs. Montgomery exclaimed, more
unreservedly than she had yet spoken.
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