L. Frank Baum

“ I also found my three nieces at Elmhurst, and it struck me it would be a good time to study their characters; for like Jane I had a fortune to leave behind me, and I was curious to find out which girl was the most deserving. No one suspected my disguise. I don't usually wear such poor clothes, you know; but I have grown to be careless of dress in the west, and finding that I was supposed to be a poor man I clung to that old suit like grim death to a grasshopper. ”

“ Patsy laughed.
"What are you up to, Daddy?" she demanded. "What has Uncle John been doing?"
"Deceiving us, my dear."
"Nonsense," said Uncle John, lighting his old briar pipe, "you've been deceiving yourselves."
"Didn't you convey the impression that you were poor?" demanded the Major, sternly.
"No."
"Didn't you let Patsy take away your thirty-two dollars and forty-two cents, thinking it was all you had?"
"Yes."
"Aren't you worth millions and millions of dollars—so many that you can't count them yourself?" ”

“ After that Louise will have the money to do as she pleases with."
"How fine!" cried Patsy, clapping her hands joyfully.
"And here's another paper that gives Professor De Graf the use of another hundred thousand. Beth is to have it when he dies. She's a sensible girl, and will take good care of it."
"Indeed she will!" said Patsy.
"And now," said Uncle John, "I want to know if I can keep my little room in your apartments, Patsy; or if you'd prefer me to find another boarding place."
"Your home is here as long as you live, Uncle John. ”