`` Well , of all the queer delusions ! '' Jacob Delancey was ejaculating as he and his niece drove down the lane . `` What is it all about ? '' asked Miss Delancey curiously . `` Well , it 's this way , Dorothy . Long ago Miss Hannah had a brother who ran away from home . It was before their father and mother died . Ralph Walworth was as wild a young scamp as ever was in Prospect and a spendthrift in the bargain . Nobody but Hannah had any use for him , and she just worshipped him . I must admit he was real fond of her too , but he and his father could n't get on at all . So finally he ups and runs away ; it was generally supposed he went to the mining country . He left a note for Hannah bidding her goodbye and telling her that he was going to make his fortune and would come back to her a rich man . There 's never been a word heard tell of him since , and in my opinion it 's doubtful if he 's still alive . But Miss Hannah , as you saw , is sure and certain he 'll come back yet with gold dropping out of his pockets . She 's as sane as anyone everyway else , but there is no doubt she 's a little cracked on that p ` int . If he never turns up she 'll go on hoping quite happy to her death . But if he should turn up and be poor , as is ten times likelier than anything else , I believe it 'd most kill Miss Hannah . She 's terrible proud for all she 's so sweet , and you saw yourself how mad she got when I kind of hinted he might n't be rich . If he came back poor , after all her boasting about him , I do n't fancy he 'd get much of a welcome from her . And she 'd never hold up her head again , that 's certain .
So it 's to be hoped , say I , XXXXX Ralph Walworth never will turn up , unless he comes in a carriage and four , which is about as likely , in my opinion , as that he 'll come in a pumpkin drawn by mice . ''
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