'You had nothing to do with it.'
It was a relief to me to hear this, for I had in some way got it in my mind that Jessie had run away to escape the proposal she suspected I intended to make to her. I approached a more delicate subject.
'You have heard the stories the neighbours are telling each other, Josey, about Jessie and Mr. Glover.'
'Oh, yes, I've heard them! The scandal-mongers! I'd like to wring their ears for them.'
That was sufficient for me; a great weight was lifted from my heart. There was another question that I must ask.
'Did Jessie in her letter say anything about me? Did she send me any message?'
'She did, and I wasn't to give it to you unless you asked for it. Perhaps I'd better read it.' She took the letter from her pocket and read: '"Chris will be sure to miss my box"--you see,' said Josey interrupting her reading, 'Jessie sent the letter to my house; she didn't know I was here; and I was to ask your mother to let me have her box, so that I might send it to Jessie without your knowing.'
'Then there's a message to mother in that letter?'
'There is, but I can't give it to her, poor dear!'
'Go on with what Jessie says about me, Josey.'