Fortunately, the two sisters were not obliged to live upon their inheritance. Dearborn himself had a sister⁠—a twin of Aunt Wess’⁠—who had married a wealthy woollen merchant of Boston, and this one, long since, had provided for the two girls. A large sum had been set aside, which was to be made over to them when the father died. For years now this sum had been accumulating interest. So that when Laura and Page faced the world, alone, upon the steps of the Barrington cemetery, they had the assurance that, at least, they were independent.