"To Mrs. Rudolph Dainty, and to Mrs. Charlotte Grayson,
"Dear friends:—" was its greeting, and then followed the story of the writer's visit to the Cleverton, and the statement that her few relatives were too distant to have any valid claim to her estate.
"I was greatly displeased with the two of my kin whom I came to observe, and I will not dwell upon that, but, instead, will take this time to say that Dorothy Dainty and Nancy Ferris, are the two dearest children that it has been my pleasure to know.
"Dorothy's life has been sunny, and Nancy's story, as you told it to me, appealed to me, and I looked with even greater interest at the child who, under your loving care, had blossomed like a lovely flower.
"Dorothy has her parents, and will inherit a fortune. Nancy has no parents, and I know, will be kindly cared for by you, but that fact will not deter me from making a bequest that gives me greatest pleasure.
"I shall leave all of my estate to Nancy Ferris, and I remind her, in some little verses that I enclose, how deeply I have appreciated her many little kindnesses.
To Nancy
"Dear little girl, I know that you will daily
Do loving acts of kindness, and of cheer,
Thus urging life to sing its song more gaily
And making friendship lasting and more dear.
"I felt your charm, dear child, I saw how sweetly
You gave your kindness, with no thought of gain.
I give you a reward, and how completely
I joy in giving, words cannot explain."