Eloise’s face flushed, and Jack, who stole a look at her, saw that her hands trembled a little.  No one spoke until Mrs. Biggs rose and said, “‘Squire Ferris, if no will ain’t found, and nothin’ is proved for Mrs. Amy,—­adoption nor nothin’,—­you know what I mean,—­can’t she inherit?”

“Not a cent!” was the reply.

“You mean she’ll have nothin’?”

“Legally nothing!”

“And Mr. Howard will have everything?”

“Yes, everything, as he is sole heir and next of kin.”

“Get out with your ‘sole heir and next of kin’ and law!” Mrs. Biggs exclaimed vehemently.  “There ain’t no justice in law.  Look a-here, Squire; when women vote we’ll have things different.  Here is Amy, been used to them elegancies all her life.”  She swept her arm around the room, and, still keeping it poised, continued:  “And now she’s to be turned out because there ain’t no will and you can’t prove nothin’!  And that’s law!  It makes me so mad!  Who is goin’ to take care of her, I’d like to know?”

“I am!” and Eloise sprang to her feet, the central figure now in the room.  “I shall take care of my mother!  I don’t care for the will, nor anything, except to prove that she is Col.  Crompton’s legitimate daughter, and that I will do.  I am going where she was born, if I can find the place, and take her with me.  I am not very lame now, and I would start to-morrow if—­”

She stopped, remembering that in her purse were only two and one half dollars, and this she owed to Mrs. Biggs for board; then her eyes fell upon Ruby, the friend who had stood by her in her need, and who had been the first to congratulate her on finding her mother.  Ruby had offered her money for the journey to California, and something in Ruby’s face told her it was still ready for her, and she went on:  “I was foolish enough to think Crompton Place was her rightful home, and be glad for her, but if it is not, I shall take her away at once.  No one need worry about mother!  I shall care for her.”

“Bravo!” Mrs. Biggs rejoined, as Eloise sank back in her chair.  “That’s what I call pluck!  Law, indeed!  It makes me so mad!  You can fetch her to my house any minit.  Your old room is ready for you, and I won’t charge a cent till you find something to do and can pay.  Maybe Ruby’ll give up the school.  Won’t you, Ruby Ann?”

“Certainly, if she wishes it,” Ruby answered, and going over to Eloise, she said, “You are a brave little girl, and the money is still waiting for you if you want it.”

As for Jack, he was ready to lay himself at her feet, but all he could do then was to say to Ruby, “Perhaps Miss Smith had better go to her room; she seems tired,” and taking her arm, he went with her to the door, which Howard opened for her.  That young man did not feel very comfortable, and as soon as Eloise was gone he said to the inmates of the room, “If any of you think me such a cad as to turn Mrs. Amy and her daughter from the house, or to allow them to go, you are mistaken.  If it should prove that I am master here, they will share with me.  I can do no more.”