Dora's heart seemed cut in two by these words. She put her head upon the
pillow and sobbed and wept. Presently she heard her aunt come into the
room, and she raised her head and tried to control herself, for she
dreaded the scene that she knew was coming. And it came--cries and sobs,
loud groans and lamentations. Aunt Ninette declared that she could never
bear this terrible blow; she did not know which way to turn, nor what to
do first.

In the open drawer of the table by the side of the bed, lay several
papers, and as she laid them together, meaning to lock them up, she saw a
letter addressed to herself. She opened it and read as follows:

"Dear Sister Ninette,

"I feel that I shall shall soon leave you, but I will not talk to
you about it, for the sad time will come only too quickly. One
only wish that I have greatly at heart I now lay before you, and
that is, that you will take my child under your protection for as
long as she may need your care. I shall leave very little money
behind me, but I beg you to employ this little in teaching Dora
something that will enable her, with God's help, to support
herself when she is old enough.

"Do not, my dear sister, give way to your grief; try to believe as
I believe, that God will always take our children under his
care, when we are obliged to leave them and can no longer provide
for them ourselves. Receive my heartfelt thanks for all the
kindness you have shown to me and my child. God will reward you
for it all."