"Did God—did God send you to—to me?"
"I'm sure He did," she returned slowly.
"Then—then can I—take one of your pencils?"
Mrs. Lowell looked down at her writing-tablet.
"Certainly," she said, passing the whole affair to him.
A remarkable transformation took place in the boy's face. He took the folding case with its complete outfit and his companion regarded him in surprise. His eyes lighted and color came stealing up over face and brow. He looked over his shoulder apprehensively, then back at her.
"You won't tell him?" he said.
"Who? Your uncle?"
"Yes. He would beat me."
"Why? Doesn't he like you to write letters?"