* *

"DEAR CAL,--Laura's little girl was very willing to come up here
with me, and I was exceedingly glad to bring her, for poor
influences in her life have made her a victim. I've had several
talks with her. She has received only a desultory education, and
isn't fitted for any life-work. She has been fed on froth mentally,
and in Sam's worst straits has evidently never been obliged to do
anything more severe in the way of manual labor than to mend her
father's clothes; but withal she is innocent and honest, and not to
blame, in the absence of a mother or any wise guidance, for not
rising higher than her father's standards. You and Martha gave her
heart and pride a great shock. Her mother used always to talk much
about you in particular, and taught her little girl to kiss your
picture good-night. So you can understand the surprise and
disappointment of the sequel. You know what Laura meant to me, and
while I would in any case do what I could for this child, it is my
pleasure, and in your and Martha's default, seems to be my duty, to
assume charge of her. I have determined upon this, for the girl is
a starved specimen, and very needy. I tell you this in advance in
case the new responsibility should take me away from the farm for
any reason, so that all may be understood, and we may be guided.
Edna Derwent looked in on us for one night. She says Martha is to
be with her again this summer, and bade me beg you to take time to
call on her the next time you are in Boston. She is exulting in her
summer's prospect of sea, sky, and freedom, in her usual winning
manner. Her parents are to travel with friends for some time,
leaving Edna to be a child again. She says she is often tempted to
feel old and tired."

The rest of the letter was devoted to mention of the farm matters, and
Judge Trent glanced through it with a careless frown. The increasing
absorption with which he had made his perusal roused Dunham's
curiosity. Twice the lawyer's feelings carried him to the pitch of
audible expression. His exclamations were brief and monotonous. When he
arrived at the point describing his niece's caressing his picture he
slowly ejaculated, "_Get_ out." And when the matter concerned
Thinkright's renouncing his care of the farm the reader made use of the
same words, vigorously varying the emphasis thus: "Get _out_."

John spe