“Are the Fairs related to the Gilpins?” his mother asked.  Not being a native of Friendship, she had difficulty in mastering the intricacies of its relationships.

It was ground upon which Miss Betty was entirely at home, however.  “They were kin to Cousin Thomas’s wife,” she explained.  “Mrs. Fair’s grandmother was half-sister to Cousin Emma’s mother, and raised Cousin Emma as her own child.  Of course it is not very near when it comes to Celia.  The spinet belonged to old Mrs. Johnson,—­Celia’s great-grandmother, you know,—­whose name was also Celia.  Saint Cecilia, they used to call her, because she was so good and played and sang so sweetly.  It is right the spinet should go to Celia, but that would not have influenced Cousin Thomas a minute if he had not wished her to have it.”

“And the ring has never been heard of?” Mrs. Roberts asked, as her visitor paused for breath.

“I doubt if it ever comes to light.  It is nearly three years now since it disappeared,” was the reply.  Miss Betty looked up at the vines above her head, and her lips curled into a sort of half smile.  “I should like to hear Cousin Ellen Whittredge on the will,” she added.  “I don’t think she cares much about the money, however; it is more that old feeling against Dr. Fair.  You remember he testified to Mr. Gilpin’s sanity.”

“And her son?” asked Mrs. Roberts.

“Allan?  It is hard to find out what Allan thinks, but there is no bitterness in him.  He is like his father, poor man!  What I am curious to know is, what Cousin Thomas meant by saying in his will that Allan knew his wishes in regard to the ring.  That strikes me as a little sensational.  I asked Allan about it the last time I saw him, but he only laughed and said he’d have to get it before he could dispose of it.”

Miss Betty now made some motions preliminary to rising, but as if on second thought, she laid her parasol across her knees again and asked, “Have you heard that Patterson’s daughter is here?”

“Yes, I think I saw her in the carriage with her grandmother yesterday,” was Mrs. Roberts’s reply.

This was news to Maurice, and he listened with interest.

Miss Betty shook her head.  “I am surprised,” she said.  “That marriage of Patterson’s was a dreadful blow to Cousin Ellen.”

“It seems to me she was unreasonable about it.  I am glad she sent for him before his father died.”  Mrs. Roberts spoke with some hesitation.  She did not often array her own opinions against those of her friends.

“I don’t blame her as some do.  A person of that sort, and Patterson the very light of her eyes!  How would you feel if Maurice some day should do a thing like that?”

Maurice laughed softly.  His thoughts were not much occupied with marriage.  His mother ignored the question, and in her turn asked, “Did Mrs. Whittredge ever see her daughter-in-law?”

“No, indeed.  This child was not more than three when she died.”