Back in the big , cheery parlour the Thanksgiving guests were amusing themselves in various ways . Max Seeley had given an odd little start when he was introduced to Miss Price , and as soon as possible he followed her to the corner where she had taken refuge . Ernest Allen was out in the kitchen talking to his sisters , the `` uncles and cousins and aunts '' were all chattering to each other , and Mr. Seeley and Miss Price were quite unnoticed . `` You will excuse me , wo n't you , Miss Price , if I ask you something about yourself ? '' he said eagerly . `` The truth is , you look so strikingly like someone I used to know that I feel sure you must be related to her . I do not think I have any relatives of your name . Have you any of mine ? '' Bertha flushed , hesitated for an instant , then said frankly , `` No , I do not think so . But I may as well tell you that Price is not my real name and I do not know what it is , although I think it begins with S. I believe that my parents died when I was about three years old , and I was then taken to an orphan asylum . The next year I was taken from there and adopted by Mrs. Price . She was very kind to me and treated me as her own daughter . I had a happy home with her , although we were poor . Mrs. Price wished me to bear her name , and I did so . She never told me my true surname , perhaps she did not know it . She died when I was sixteen , and since then I have been quite alone in the world . That is all I know about myself . '' Max Seeley was plainly excited . `` Why do you think your real name begins with S ? '' he asked .
`` I have a watch which belonged XXXXX my mother , with the monogram ` B.S. ' on the case .
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