“‘Pooh, nonsense, that’s nothing,’ said Tom Smart, ‘I want money. ’Tan’t that.’
“‘Oh dear, what can it be?’ exclaimed the poor widow.
“‘Don’t be frightened,’ said Tom Smart. He slowly drew forth the letter, and unfolded it. ‘You won’t scream?’ said Tom, doubtfully.
“‘No, no,’ replied the widow; ‘let me see it.’
“‘You won’t go fainting away, or any of that nonsense?’ said Tom.
“‘No, no,’ returned the widow, hastily.
“‘And don’t run out, and blow him up,’ said Tom, ‘because I’ll do all that for you; you had better not exert yourself.’
“‘Well, well,’ said the widow, ‘let me see it.’
“‘I will,’ replied Tom Smart; and, with these words, he placed the letter in the widow’s hand.