It was not often that Geraldine praised anything or anybody as she
praised this little English girl who had made a strong impression upon
her, and of whom she might have said more if Miss McPherson had not
rejoined:

"I did see her once, and her mother, too. I was home three years ago,
you know, and I went to Aberystwyth in Wales, where I heard Archie was
staying, but I did not make myself known to him, I was so disgusted with
what I heard of his wife's conduct, which he allowed without a word of
protest. But I was anxious to see the child, and one morning I sat on a
bench on the Marine Terrace watching a group of children playing near
me. I was almost sure that the one with the blue eyes and bright hair
was Archie's and so I called aloud, 'Betsey McPherson, are you there?'

"Instantly she came to me, and folding her hands in my lap, looked up at
me with her wondering eyes and said:

"'I am Bessie McPherson, not Betsey.'

"'Weren't you christened Betsey?' I asked, and she replied:

"'Yes, but they never call me that. It's a horrid name, mamma says.'

"'Then why did she give it to you?' I said, and she answered with the
utmost gravity:

"'For some old auntie in America who has money; but she never sent me a
thing, nor answered papa's letter. I think she is mean, don't you?'

"I did not tell her what I thought of the old auntie, though I could not