Let us leave my father and mother out of the question and start fair on our own account . '' For a moment Uncle Paul looked at her . She met his gaze frankly and firmly , with a merry smile lurking in her eyes . Then he threw back his head and laughed a hearty laugh that was good to hear . `` Very well , '' he said . `` It is a bargain . '' He put his hand over the gate and shook hers . Then he opened the gate and invited her into the house . Worth stayed to tea , and Uncle Paul showed her all over Greenwood . `` You are to come here as often as you like , '' he told her . `` When a young lady and I make a compact of friendship I am going to live up to it . But you are not to talk to me about your mother . Remember , we are friends because I am I and you are you , and there is no question of anybody else . '' The Grange Ingelows were amazed to see Paul bringing Worth home in his buggy that evening . When Worth had gone into the house Charlotte told him that she was glad to see that he had relented towards Elizabeth 's child . `` I have not , '' he made stern answer . `` I do n't know whom you mean by Elizabeth 's child . That young woman and I have taken a liking for each other which we mean to cultivate on our own account . Do n't call her Elizabeth 's child to me again . '' As the days and weeks went by Worth grew dearer and dearer to the Grange folk .
The aunts often wondered to themselves how they had existed before Worth came and , oftener yet , how they could do without her when the time came for her XXXXX go home .
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