I 've no kith or kin of my own except you . And look here , Ellis . I 'm tired of hired housekeepers . Will your mother come up and live with us and look after things a bit ? I 've a good girl , and she wo n't have to work hard , but there must be somebody at the head of a household . She must have a good headpiece -- for you have inherited good qualities from someone , and goodness knows it was n't from your father . '' `` Uncle Timothy , '' said Ellis respectfully but firmly , `` I 'll accept your offer gratefully , and I am sure Mother will too . But there is one thing I must say . Perhaps my father deserves all you say of him -- but he is dead -- and if I come to you it must be with the understanding that nothing more is ever to be said against him . '' Timothy Robinson smiled -- a queer , twisted smile that yet had a hint of affection and comprehension in it . `` Very well , '' he said . `` I 'll never cast his shortcomings up to you again . Come to me -- and if I find you always as industrious and reliable as you 've proved yourself to be negotiating them elders , I 'll most likely forget that you ai n't my own son some of these days . '' The Finished Story She always sat in a corner of the west veranda at the hotel , knitting something white and fluffy , or pink and fluffy , or pale blue and fluffy -- always fluffy , at least , and always dainty . Shawls and scarfs and hoods the things were , I believe . When she finished one she gave it to some girl and began another . Every girl at Harbour Light that summer wore some distracting thing that had been fashioned by Miss Sylvia 's slim , tireless , white fingers . She was old , with that beautiful , serene old age which is as beautiful in its way as youth . Her girlhood and womanhood must have been very lovely to have ripened into such a beauty of sixty years . It was a surprise to everyone who heard her called Miss Sylvia .
She looked so like a woman who ought XXXXX have stalwart , grown sons and dimpled little grandchildren .
after as at except from if into of to with