The house shall be shingled , and the money for the new dress and coat shall be forthcoming . You and I will be friends . '' `` Thank you , '' gasped Dorinda , wondering if , after all , it was n't a dream . `` I would have gladly assisted your mother before , '' said Uncle Eugene , `` if she had asked me . I had determined that she must ask me first . I knew that half the money should have been your father 's by rights . I was prepared to hand it over to him or his family , if I were asked for it . But I wished to humble his pride , and the Carter pride , to the point of asking for it . Not a very amiable temper , you will say ? I admit it . I am not amiable and I never have been amiable . You must be prepared to find me very unamiable . I see that you are waiting for a chance to say something polite and pleasant on that score , but you may save yourself the trouble . I shall hope and expect to have you visit me often . If your mother and your brothers and sisters see fit to come with you , I shall welcome them also . I think that this is all it is necessary to say just now . Will you stay to tea with me this evening ? '' Dorinda stayed to tea , since she knew that Jean was at home to attend to matters there . She and Uncle Eugene got on famously . When she left , Uncle Eugene , grim and hard-lipped as ever , saw her to the door .
`` Good evening , Niece XXXXX .
Carter Dorinda Eugene Jean brothers family first friends left money