I'll not stay long, anyhow; so just forget I'm here, and I'll amuse myself and try not to bother you." Both Beth and Louise considered this very sensible, and took Patricia at her word.

Moreover, Phibbs had related to Beth, whose devoted adherent she was, all of the conversation between Aunt Jane and Patricia, from which the girls learned they had nothing to fear from their cousin's interference.

So they let her go her way, and the three only met at the state dinners, which Aunt Jane still attended, in spite of her growing weakness.
Old Silas Watson, interested as he was in the result, found it hard to decide, after ten days, which of her nieces Jane Merrick most favored.
Personally he preferred that Beth should inherit, and frankly told his old friend that the girl would make the best mistress of Elmhurst.
Moreover, all the servants sang Beth's praises, from Misery and Phibbs down to Oscar and Susan.

Of course James the gardener favored no one, as the numerous strangers at Elmhurst kept him in a constant state of irritation, and his malady seemed even worse than usual.

He avoided everyone but his mistress, and although his work was now often neglected Miss Merrick made no complaint.