Guy happened to hear her case talked over at the post-office, the very day the news of Jack’s misfortune arrived. He heard a gentleman say, that she must be sent to the alms-house, though, being a woman of spirit, he feared she would break her heart and die, if she was. Full of pity for the old lady, Guy went to her, and offered to take care of her cow and hens, as long as Jack might be sick.
“It would have melted your heart,” said Guy, as he finished his story, “had you seen the old lady cry for joy at my offer. She looked so thankful, and seemed so much relieved, that I felt as happy as an angel, to think that by doing such a little thing as milking and feeding a cow for a few weeks, I could shed so much light in the dwelling of a poor, but noble woman.”
Jessie’s eyes swam with tears. She pressed Guy’s hand, but spoke not. He understood the meaning of that pressure. He knew that in her heart she was saying, “My brother did right, and those boys were very wicked for calling after him. I love my dear brother better than ever.”
While such thoughts as these were passing in Jessie’s mind, and Guy was feeling the gladness which welled up within him like living water, they reached the cottage. Mrs. Moneypenny received them with smiles of welcome. She kissed Jessie, and said:
“You look as if you had a heart as kind as your brother’s. May Heaven bless you both!”
Mrs. Moneypenny Reading Jack’s Letter. Page 153.
Then the old lady began to talk about her “dear Jack.” After telling them he was “getting along nicely,” she read a letter which he made out to write in pencil, as he lay bolstered up in his bed. Having finished it, the good mother sighed, and said: