Grandpop turned the letter over and over. Plainly he was a bit afraid to tear it open, for his aged hands shook visibly, and he could be seen pressing his lips firmly together as though summoning all his resolution to the fore.
That imprint of a legal firm dismayed him. His dealings with lawyers had been few, and perhaps not of an altogether pleasant nature at that. Finally, he seemed to reach a point where he could wait no longer, so he managed to detach a strip of the envelope.
The enclosure was in typewriting like the address. All of the others watched grandpop earnestly as he first rubbed his glasses so as to get a little more time, and then started in to read the letter.
Uncle Silas had been lying down on the well-worn sofa. He sat up and seemed to be deeply interested. Leslie, as usual, was watching the wanderer closely; possibly the boy even allowed himself to wonder whether sly Uncle Silas’ presence there could have any connection with the coming of this mysterious missive.
Then grandpop uttered a low groan, though he tried bravely enough to crush it.
“Oh! what is it all about, Father?” exclaimed Mrs. Horner, darting forward to put her supporting arm about the old man, who seemed to waver in his seat.
The veteran drew his quivering hand caressingly over her hair several times. He had some difficulty in mastering his emotions; but the old soldier spirit in him was not yet dead, and he succeeded in regaining control over his nerves.
“Bad news, Daughter, I’m sorry to say,” he told her.
“Is it about your investment?” she asked, showing that she had been entertaining fears in that direction for some little time.
“Yes, yes, that is it,” he said, as well as his trembling lips could form the words. “This lawyer tells me the company has been in difficulties for some time, though they kept hoping to bridge over their trouble. But something happened that they had not counted on, and they went under with a smash. He says they may be able to pay thirty cents on the dollar, but it will take time even at that to realize on their properties.”