CHAPTER XIX. THE LETTER

use,andsettleonpreliminariesfirst.” Maryofferedtolendthelittleshepossessedbutmymotherdeclinedit,sayingthatwemustbeginonaneconomicalplanandshehopedthatthewholeorpartofmine,addedtowhatwecouldgetbythesaleofthefurniture,andwhatlittleourdearpapahadcontrivedtolayasideforhersincethedebtswerepaid,wouldbesufficienttolastustillChristmaswhen,itwashoped,somethingwouldaccruefromourunitedlabours.Itwasfinallysettledthatthisshouldbeourplanandthatinquiriesandpreparationsshouldimmediatelybesetonfootandwhilemymotherbusiedherselfwiththese,IshouldreturntoHortonLodgeatthecloseofmyfourweeks’vacation,andgivenoticeformyfinaldeparturewhenthingswereintrainforthespeedycommencementofourschool. WewerediscussingtheseaffairsonthemorningIhavementioned,aboutafortnightaftermyfather’sdeath,whenaletterwasbroughtinformymother,onbeholdingwhichthecolourmountedtoherface—latelypaleenoughwithanxiouswatchingsandexcessivesorrow.“Frommyfather!”murmuredshe,asshehastilytoreoffthecover.Itwasmanyyearssinceshehadheardfromanyofherownrelationsbefore.Naturallywonderingwhatthelettermightcon