quite enough on her mind. "The will can be examined at your
convenience, and any questions of securities or money can rest over
for a time. Do you wish any ready cash? Or shall we look after any
money matters?"

"Thank you, no. Such things are systematically arranged in the
household. Jepson attends to bills and tradesmen. My greatest wish is
for a secretary or some person to write notes and look after the flood
of letters and telegrams that has already begun."

I felt surprised, for I had assumed that the rich man's wife had a
social secretary of her own.

"I've no one," she said, in response to my glance, "Mr. Schuyler
didn't wish me to have a secretary, and indeed I didn't need one. But
now--"

"Of course, it is necessary now."

"Not at all," interrupted Miss Rhoda. "I am surprised at you, Ruth!
You know how Randolph objected to such things, and now, as soon as he
is gone, you begin to--"

"Hush, Rhoda," said Ruth, with gentle dignity. "It was not necessary
before, but it is now. You've no idea what a task it will be. All our
friends and many of Randolph's acquaintances will call or send
messages and they must be acknowledged--"

"And, pray, what else have you to do, but acknowledge them? Sarah and
I will attend to our own. A great many, doubtless, but not too much of