received the letter as to the cook and her claim he hied himself to the
city at once, and wrote back that the claim could be settled for three
hundred dollars.

"And enough, I must say," Aunt Mary remarked to Lucinda upon receipt of
the statement; "three hundred dollars for one cat—for, after all, Jack
blames the whole on the cat, an’ he didn’t hit it, even then."

Lucinda did not answer.

"But if the boy settles down now I shan’t mind payin’ the three—Where are
you goin’?"

For Lucinda was walking out of the room.

"I’m goin’ to the door," said she raspingly. "The bell’s ringin’."

After a minute or two she came back.

"Telegram!" she announced, handing the yellow envelope over.

Aunt Mary put on her glasses, opened it, and read:


Cook has blood poison. Sues for a thousand. Probable amputation.

STEBBINS.


Aunt Mary dropped the paper with a gasp.