But Beth erroneously judged that the aged and infirm love sober and scholarly books, and picked out a treatise that proved ineffably dull and tedious.
Aunt Jane sniffed, and then smiled slyly and proceeded to settle herself for a nap.

If the girl was a fool, let her be properly punished.
Beth read for an hour, uncertain whether her aunt were intensely interested or really asleep.

At the end of that dreadful period old Misery entered and aroused the sleeper without ceremony.
"What's the matter ?" asked Aunt Jane, querrulously, for she resented being disturbed.
"There's a man to see you, Miss." "Send him about his business!" "But--" "I won't see him, I tell you!" "But he says he's your brother, Miss." "Who ?" "Your brother." Miss Jane stared as if bewildered.
"Your brother John, Miss." The invalid sank back upon her cushions with a sigh of resignation.
"I thought he was dead, long ago; but if he's alive I suppose I'll have to see him," she said.

"Elizabeth, leave the room.

Misery, send the man here!".