Yes, child, by birth you are a
lady, as good as any of them--as good as the best."
"They are dead," said Ruth. "I don't remember them. I have a picture of
my father upstairs; it is taken with his uniform on. He looks very
handsome. And I have a little water-color sketch of my mother, and she
looks fair and sweet and interesting. But I never knew them. Those I
knew and know and love are you, grandfather, and granny."
"Well, dear, when I had the power and the brains and the strength, I
kept a shop--a grocer's shop, dear; and my wife, she was the daughter of
a harness-maker. Your grandparents were both in trade; there's no way
out of it."
"But a gentleman and lady for all that," said the girl.
She pressed close to the old man, took one of his weather-beaten hands
between both of her own, and stroked it.
"That is as people think, Ruthie; but we weren't in the position, and
never expect to be, of those who are high up in the world."
"I am glad you told me about my father and mother," said the girl. "I
love both their memories. I am glad to think that my father served the
Queen, and that my mother was the daughter of a clergyman. But I am more
glad to think that there never was such an honorable man as you,
granddad, and that you made the grocery trade one of the best in the
world."
"It was a bad trade, my darling. I had several severe losses. It was
very unfortunate my lending that money."
"What money?"
"Oh, I will tell you another time; it doesn't really matter.
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