"We'll cross the ferry together, if you'll wait a moment while I deliver a note at Mrs. Trevarthen's."
Mrs. Trevarthen was at her door. She took the note, and, before opening it, looked at Hester curiously.
"You know what's inside of it, I reckon?" she said, turning to Mr. Benny.
"Not a word."
"My eyes are bad," said Mrs. Trevarthen, who, as a matter of fact, could not read.
Mr. Benny knew this, and knew also that Mrs. Trevarthen as a rule employed Aunt Butson to write her few letters and decipher the few that came to her.
"The light's bad for the time of year," he said. "Shall I read it for you, missus?"
"No; let her read it," answered the old woman, holding out the letter to Hester. Hester took it and read—
"Madam,—This is to inform you that the rent of my cottage, at present occupied by you on a monthly tenancy at £9 per annum, will from the first of next month be raised to £15 per annum; also that the tenancy will not, after that date, carry with it a permission to let lodgings.—Yours truly, S. ROSEWARNE."
"Madam,—This is to inform you that the rent of my cottage, at present occupied by you on a monthly tenancy at £9 per annum, will from the first of next month be raised to £15 per annum; also that the tenancy will not, after that date, carry with it a permission to let lodgings.—Yours truly, S. ROSEWARNE."