She
worked with speed and with beautiful sureness, patting,
squeezing, rolling the golden mass, like the true artist she was,
then turning the sweet-scented waxen balls out of the mould on to
the big stone-china platter that stood waiting. She had been up
early and for the last hour she had toiled with devouring
eagerness that she might have a little time to herself. It was
hers now, for Patty would be busy with the beds after she
finished the dishes, so she drew a folded paper from her pocket,
the first communication she had ever received in Ivory's
handwriting, and sat down to read it.
MY DEAR WAITSTILL:--
Rodman will take this packet and leave it with you when he finds
opportunity. It is not in any real sense a letter, so I am in no
danger of incurring your father's displeasure. You will probably
have heard new rumors concerning my father during the past few
days, for Peter Morrill has been to Enfield, New Hampshire, where
he says letters have been received stating that my father died in
Cortland, Ohio, more than five years ago. I shall do what I can
to substantiate this fresh report as I have always done with all
the previous ones, but I have little hope of securing reliable
information at this distance, and after this length of time.
Pages:
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182