"And her goodness just helps us out of our dilemma," said her
brother; who was unaware of the feelings with which Ruth regarded
her watch, or, perhaps, he might have parted with his Facciolati.
Mrs. Hughes patiently awaited their leisure for answering her
practical question. Where could the watch be sold? Suddenly her
face brightened.
"Mr. Jones, the doctor, is just going to be married, perhaps he
would like nothing better than to give this pretty watch to his
bride; indeed, and I think it's very likely; and he'll pay money
for it as well as letting alone his bill. I'll ask him, sir, at
any rate."
Mr. Jones was only too glad to obtain possession of so elegant a
present at so cheap a rate. He even, as Mrs. Hughes had foretold,
"paid money for it;" more than was required to defray the
expenses of Ruth's accommodation, as most of the articles of food
she had were paid for at the time by Mr. or Miss Benson, but they
strictly forbade Mrs. Hughes to tell Ruth of this.
"Would you object to my buying you a black gown?" said Miss
Benson to her, the day after the sale of the watch. She hesitated
a little, and then went on--
"My brother and I think it would be better to call you--as if in
fact you were--a widow. It will save much awkwardness, and it
will spare your child much"----mortification, she was going to
have added; but that word did not exactly do. But, at the mention
of her child, Ruth started, and turned ruby-red; as she always
did when allusion was made to it.
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