Apparently Betsy's question had brought something half forgotten and
altogether neglected into their minds. They talked for some time after
that about 'Lias, the teacher confirming what Betsy and Stashie had
said.
"And we sitting right here with plenty to eat and never raising a hand!"
cried Aunt Abigail.
"How you WILL let things slip out of your mind!" said Cousin Ann
remorsefully.
It struck Betsy vividly that 'Lias was not at all the one they blamed
for his objectionable appearance. She felt quite ashamed to go on with
the other things she and the little girls had said, and fell silent,
pretending to be very much absorbed in her game of checkers.
"Do you know," said Aunt Abigail suddenly, as though an inspiration had
just struck her, "I wouldn't be a bit surprised if that Elmore Pond
might adopt 'Lias if he was gone at the right way."
"Who's Elmore Pond?" asked the schoolteacher.
"Why, you must have seen him--that great, big, red-faced, good-natured-
looking man that comes through here twice a year, buying stock. He lives
over Bigby way, but his wife was a Hillsboro girl, Matey Pelham--an
awfully nice girl she was, too. They never had any children, and Matey
told me the last time she was back for a visit that she and her husband
talked quite often about adopting a little boy. Seems that Mr. Pond has
always wanted a little boy.
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