He turned to Drusilla, who seemed hardly to realize or understand
the contents of the letter.

"Shall I file the letter along with the other papers, or do you wish
to keep it?" he asked.

Drusilla took the letter, and folded it and refolded it, looking
down at it as if it were a thing alive.

"If you don't mind, Mr. Thornton, I should like to keep it," she
said. "He meant well by me, and his letter is kind though he said it
in a queer way; but it is the first letter I've had from any one for
a long time, and I should like to keep it. It makes it all seem more
real."

The lawyer rose.

"Now we will leave you. When will you be ready to come with us to
New York?"

Drusilla smiled her soft sweet smile.

"I haven't much to get ready, Mr. Thornton. It won't take me long to
pack my things."

"Then shall we say that I may come for you to-morrow?"

"Yes, to-morrow will be as well as any other day. Unless--unless
Mis' Smith needs me--"