"How much is it?" asked Van Dorn and Perner together.
Livingstone regarded them as if he did not understand.
"How much is what?" he asked—then added joyously: "Oh, yes—oh, no; it isn't from the 'Decade'—it's—it's a letter!"
Van Dorn and Perner rose grimly. Van Dorn's voice was very stern.
"And what do you mean," he demanded, "by looking as you do now over a letter—simply a letter?"
But Livingstone was in no wise daunted.
"Sit down, Van!" he shouted, "you and Perny! I've always wanted to tell you, and never could quite do it before. Sit down now, and I'll read you this letter! It's from the girl that sent in our first subscription. It's the best letter that was ever written—from the best girl that God ever made!"