her mother's.

"Well, time enough to settle that question. Now tell me what she
wrote," declared Mrs. Brewster, sighing with relief.

"You'll be taken right off your feet, Maw, so you'd best sit down and
listen," advised Polly, nibbling at a biscuit while she waited for her
mother to be seated.

"Now, I don't want you to shake your head or say a word, until I'm all
through reading, Maw. It's something terribly surprising and goodness
only knows why she asked _me_. I was so young when she taught school
that she never noticed me much."

"Yes, you were _so_ much younger two years ago, and you are so very
ancient now!" retorted Mrs. Brewster, trying to appear serious.

"You know what I mean--but this isn't reading you the letter and I know
just how you'll gasp when you hear her brother--listen and I'll read
it."




CHAPTER II

A MOMENTOUS LETTER


Having seen that her mother was seated and ready for the surprise,