"About eight thousand to each one—Mrs. Bowers, Mrs. Evans, and Mrs. Chapman." "I am glad he remembered poor Mrs. Chapman at last," said Rhoda. "He never would help her when he was alive, though she used to want for necessary clothes. Aunt Annie has given her and the children many an outfit, I know. But I am afraid Mr. Bowers will be dreadfully disappointed." "So he is. He talks of breaking the will, and what not, but that is all nonsense. He cannot touch it, and that he knows very well. He will have to take his eight thousand or nothing. That is all he will get." "I always supposed Mr. Weightman was much richer," said Rhoda. "He was at one time, but he lost a deal in bad investments," said Mr. Francis. "Well, my girl, what are you going to do?" "I haven't learned to feel that the money is mine yet," answered Rhoda. "Just think! Ten thousand dollars!" "Twenty." "Of my own! Won't I make a nice tea-party for the old ladies?" "Considering already how she can throw it away," said Mr. Francis. "That's the Rhoda of it," said Mr. Antis, smiling. "When she was a child, if any one gave her ten cents, she was always considering how to buy somebody a present with it." "She might do worse. Well, now, my girl, what do you mean to do?" asked Mr. Francis as Miss Hardy left the room. "You seem to be pretty well off here. I like the looks of Miss Hardy." "You would like her the more if you only knew her," said Rhoda. "I think I must stay here, Mr. Francis. You see, Miss Hardy took me into the school when there wasn't the least chance of my being able to make her any return; and even if I wanted to go anywhere else, I don't think it would be right." "Decidedly not," said Mr. Francis. "And then I don't want to go anywhere else," continued Rhoda. "I wish all the orphan girls in the world were as well off." "I wish all the orphan girls one tries to help had as strong a sense of it," said Mr. Antis, who had had "experiences" in that line. "How is Mr. Ferrand's daughter? He told me she was a good deal out of health." "She is, and I am afraid she will never be much better," said Rhoda, sadly. "She does not improve at all. And there is another reason why I could not go away. I could not think of leaving poor Isa." "It is a good deal of care for you, though," said Mr. Francis. "So much nursing must interfere with your studies." "Oh, there is very little real nursing; and besides, if there were, my studies would have to wait. Improving one's mind isn't always one's first duty, after all." "Humph! You seem to have improved yours to some tolerable purpose," said Mr. Francis. "Well, Rhoda, you must use your own judgment, and I have no doubt you will decide rightly." CHAPTER XIX. _THE END._ ISA was at first delighted with the news of Rhoda's good fortune, but presently she grew troubled. "You won't go away and leave me, will you?" she asked. "No, dear, of course not. Don't think of such a thing," was Rhoda's reply.