We can wait a year or so for college courses and music lessons to grow ; we can set basins under the leaks and borrow some more if we have n't enough . But a new dress and coat for you we must , shall , and will have , however it is to be brought about . '' `` I would n't mind if I never got another new stitch , if I could only manage the other things , '' said Mrs. Page stoutly . `` If your Uncle Eugene would only help us a little , until Leicester got through ! He really ought to . But of course he never will . '' `` Have you ever asked him ? '' said Dorinda . `` Oh , my dear , no ; of course not , '' said Mrs. Page in a horrified tone , as if Dorinda had asked if she had ever stolen a neighbour 's spoons . `` I do n't see why you should n't , '' said Dorinda seriously . `` Oh , Dorinda , Uncle Eugene hates us all . He is terribly bitter against us . He would never , never listen to any request for help , even if I could bring myself to make it . '' `` Mother , what was the trouble between us and Uncle Eugene ? I have never known the rights of it . I was too small to understand when I was home before . All I remember is that Uncle Eugene never came to see us or spoke to us when he met us anywhere , and we were all afraid of him somehow . I used to think of him as an ogre who would come creeping up the back stairs after dark and carry me off bodily if I was n't good . What made him our enemy ? And how did he come to get all of Grandfather Page 's property when Father got nothing ? ''
`` Well , you know , Dorinda , XXXXX your Grandfather Page was married twice .
If against before between for in of that to under