Elizabeth Hunter returned to the table with the open letter, which she handed to Doctor Morgan saying:
“Read it aloud, Doctor,” and stood behind her chair with her head bowed while it was being done.
When it was finished, she looked about her, measuring the different members of the group, wondering if it said the things to them which it cried aloud to her. The survey was satisfactory, till she suddenly realized that John was not there.
“Where’s John,” she asked.
“Gone out to see Nate Hornby—he’s brought the baby,” Luther answered.
Doctor Morgan started for home, taking the will with him to have it legally probated, and Elizabeth took Jack from his father’s arms, and went back to put away her letter, forgetting that John had not heard it read. Nathan came to spend the rest of the day. He knew from personal experience the cheerlessness of the house which has but lately harboured the dead.