"Very well, then," said Mr. Walter; "it is understood that we go to-morrow. I have some business to look after in the morning; shall you object to waiting till after dinner?" "Not at all," replied Ruth. "In my opinion nothing can equal the forlornness of forsaking a warm bed, to start breakfastless on a journey, with one's eyes half open." "'Floy,'" said Mr. Walter, taking a package from his pocket, "I have obeyed your directions, and here is something which you may well be proud of;" and he handed Ruth a paper. It ran thus: XXXXXXX+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++XXXXXXX X X X X X X THE SETON BANK. X C X X X X A $ X X $ X IN THE CITY OF ----. X P 2 X X 1 X X I , X X S 0 X _Be it known that Mrs. Ruth Hall, of ----, is X T 0 X X H 0 X entitled to one hundred shares of the Capital Stock X A 0 X X A , X of the Seton Bank, and holds the same subject to the X L 0 X X R X conditions and stipulations contained in the Articles X , X X E E X of Association of such Institution; which shares are X S 0 X X s A X transferable on the Books of the Association by the X T 0 X X , C X said Mrs. Ruth Hall or her Attorney, on surrender of X O 0 X X H X this Certificate._ X C . X X X X K X X X _In witness whereof, &c., &c._ X , X X X X X XXXXXXX+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++XXXXXXX "There," said Mr. Walter, laughing, "imagine yourself, if you can, in that dismal attic one year ago, a bank-stock holder! Now confess that you are proud of yourself." "We are proud of her," said the talkative Nettie; "if she is not proud of herself. Don't you think it is too bad, Mr. Walter, that mamma won't let Katy and me tell that 'Floy' is our mother? A little girl who lived at the hotel that was burnt up, said to Katy, that her uncle had just given her Life Sketches for a birth-day present, and told her that she must try and write as well as 'Floy' one of these days; and Katy looked at me, and I looked at Katy; and oh, isn't it _too bad_, Mr. Walter, that mamma won't let us tell, when we want to so much?" "Well," said Mr. Walter, laughing, "I have only one little remark to make about that, namely, I have no doubt you two young ladies discovered some time before I did, that when your mamma says _No_, there is an end to all argument." CHAPTER XC.