"These belonged to Aunt Annie too?" Claire asked as she took the objects.
"Yes, but I already promised to donate 'em. Before you bought the other stuff," he added.
"That was nice of you!" Effie said.
Claire's reaction was far different. "I distinctly remember buying everything in your collection," she said, a snarl of firmness in her voice. Then, as if thinking about it added, "But I'll donate these things. I'm sure the museum will be grateful and help us in our research all they can."
Dean could sense Fred was peeved. His ears were turning red. A sure sign. But to give the old man credit, he kept his cool. "The museum has already helped with this," he said, presenting the picture of Rev. Martin and his wife. "It's part of their permanent collection and I wasn't supposed to even take it out, but I'm sure if you explain about the book your brother is writing, they'll let you make a copy of it. Maybe you can use it for the cover."
Effie put her hand to her chest, as if she might faint. "Oh, my! It's truly them! God bless! What a handsome couple!"
"Yes," said Claire. She, too, was obviously moved. "I can see the resemblance. She has father's eyes." Fred reached for the picture but Claire held on to it. "I'll buy it from whoever owns it. Just tell me how much they want."
"Well, I think it's best you take that up with the museum. I borrowed it on my responsibility so I feel obligated to get it back to them first. Then you can talk to 'em but I imagine if it was a gift to the museum, they'll be obligated to hold on to the original."
Claire scowled as she looked up, about to reply. A startled look appeared on her face, causing Dean and the others to turn toward the hall.
Edith Shipton had come down the stairs and was standing under the archway. Donnie stood shyly behind her. Once more, she wore Annie Quincy's white dress. She held the comb and brush in her hand and tears streamed down her cheeks. While Claire and the Deans were unnerved, poor Effie looked on the verge of fainting.
"I...didn't mean to startle everyone," Edith said. "I just thought I'd dress up...for your guests." She turned to the sisters. "This is Annie's dress. They allowed me to model it last night. I hope you don't mind." She brushed away her tears and tried to smile. "I'm sorry. It's just that this dress makes me-feel so emotional."
"Oh," Effie exclaimed. "It's so perfect! It's as if we've gone back in time! Here we are, in this lovely parlor, just where Annie must have stood, perhaps when Rev. Martin proposed to her! It's as if she's alive again!"