"No. Don't you remember the doctor said you would in all probability outgrow your weakness and be as strong as I am? All that is needed is patience." "Ah, it is not so easy to be always patient--when I think, too, of how differently we should have been situated if grandfather had treated us justly." A shadow came over the face of Rose. "Yes; I don't like to think of that. Why should he have left all his property to our cousin Philip and none to us?" "But if Philip should die it would all be ours, so Mr. Codicil says." "I don't want anything to happen to the poor boy." "Nor I, Rose. But don't you think he might do something for us?" "So he would, very probably, if he were left to himself; but you know he is under the guardianship of that uncle of his, Richard Grafton, who is said to be intensely selfish and wholly unprincipled. He means to live as handsomely as he can at Philip's expense." "Did grandfather appoint him guardian?" "I believe so. Richard Grafton is very artful, and he led grandfather to believe him fitted to be an excellent guardian for the boy." "I suppose he is in Europe?" "No; I heard from Mr. Codicil, yesterday, that he was in New York." "Is Philip with him?" "Yes. He was to take the boy to Mr. Codicil's office to-day. There was a report some time since--I did not mention it to you for fear of exciting you--that Philip was dead. Mr. Codicil wrote to Mr. Grafton to make inquiry. In answer, he has come to New York, bringing Philip with him. While the boy lives, he receives an annual income of six thousand dollars for the boy's expenses, and to compensate him for his guardianship. You see, therefore, that Philip's death would make a great difference to him." "And to us," sighed Adeline. "Addie," said Rose, gravely, "don't allow yourself to wish for the death of our young cousin. It would be wicked." "I know it, Rose; but when I consider how hard you work, and how confined Harry is as a cash-boy, I am strongly tempted." "Then put away the temptation, and trust to a good Providence to take good care of us. God will not fail us." "I wish I had your faith, Rose," said her younger sister. "So you would, Addie, if you had my strength," said Rose, in an affectionate tone. "It is harder for you to be idle than for me to work." "You are right there, Rose. I only wish I could work. Do you know where Philip and his guardian are staying?" "Yes; Mr. Codicil told me they were staying at the Metropolitan Hotel." "Did you ever see Philip?" "Not since he was a little boy. I would not know him." "Do you suppose he knows anything about us?" "Probably Mr. Grafton never mentions us. Yet he must know that he has cousins living, but he may not know how hard we have to struggle for a livelihood." "I wish we could get a chance to speak to him. He might feel disposed to help us." "Probably his power is not great. He is only sixteen, and I presume has little command of money."