Hode would treat my mother to every delicacy in her sumptuous pantry, tell her wonderful tales of life in distant parts, show her all her beautiful dresses and jewels, and load her with presents.
As my mother developed into girlhood, her aunt grew more and more covetous of her.

Following a secret plan, she adopted a boy from the poorhouse, and brought him up with every advantage that money could buy.

My mother, on her visits, was thrown a great deal into this boy's society, but she liked him less than the poodle.

This grieved her aunt, who cherished in her heart the hope that my mother would marry her adopted son, and so become her daughter after all.

And in order to accustom her to think well of the match, Hode dinned the boy's name in my mother's ears day and night, praising him and showing him off.
She would open her jewel boxes and take out the flashing diamonds, heavy chains, and tinkling bracelets, dress my mother in them in front of the mirror, telling her that they would all be hers--all her own--when she became the bride of Mulke.
My mother still describes the necklace of pearls and diamonds which her aunt used to clasp around her plump throat, with a light in her eyes that is reminiscent of girlish pleasure.