27/53 "The story is that this Mary-'Gusta--why they persist in calling her by that dreadful name I can't understand--is the daughter of a former friend and partner. She has money of her own, though no two of the townspeople agree as to how much. I've heard it estimated all the way from five to fifty thousand. She never speaks of it and those queer old uncles of hers keep their affairs very much to themselves. But I agree with you, John; it is a shame that she should have to spend her life here in South Harniss. |