That was all she knew.

Then Mrs.Birkenfeld went directly to the point.

She explained to Mrs.Ehrenreich how much she had enjoyed and profited by, her long visits at her friend's father's house, and how deeply she felt that she owed these kind friends a debt of gratitude which she now saw an opportunity partly to repay, by doing what she could for Dora.

In short, if Aunt Ninette and her husband would consent, her most fervent wish would be to take Dora and bring her up as her own child.
She met with none of the opposition which she had feared.

Aunt Ninette said frankly that Dora had not a cent of property, and that she would be entirely dependent on her own work as a seamstress; as neither her aunt nor her uncle could afford to spend anything on her farther education.