My adopted father was very kind to me and gave me a good education . I did not forget my sister , and as soon as I could I went to the asylum . I found that she had been taken away long before , and I could not even discover who had adopted her , for the original building , with all its records , had been destroyed by fire two years previous to my visit . I never could find any clue to her whereabouts , and long since gave up all hope of finding her . But I have found her at last . You are Bertha Seeley , my little sister ! '' `` Oh -- can it be possible ! '' `` More than possible -- it is certain . You are the image of my mother , as I remember her , and as an old daguerreotype I have pictures her . And this is her watch -- see , I scratched my own initials on the case one day . There is no doubt in the world . Oh , Bertha , are you half as glad as I am ? '' `` Glad ! '' Bertha 's eyes were shining like stars . She tried to smile , but burst into tears instead and her head went down on her brother 's shoulder . By this time everybody in the room was staring at the extraordinary tableau , and Ernest , coming through the hall , gave a whistle of astonishment that brought the two in the corner back to a sense of their surroundings . `` I have n't suddenly gone crazy , Ernest , old fellow , '' smiled Max . `` Ladies and gentlemen all , this little school-ma ` am was introduced to you as Miss Price , but that was a mistake . Let me introduce her again as Miss Bertha Seeley , my long-lost and newly-found sister . '' Well they had an amazing time then , of course .
They laughed and questioned and explained until the dinner was in imminent danger of getting stone-cold XXXXX the dining-room table .
at by into like of on than that through to