“No, no, dear, but I mean—did he give you any references, to show that he was—was worthy and all right,” explained Miss Maggie patiently.
“Of course he didn’t! Why, he didn’t need to. He told me himself how things were with him,” rebuked Miss Flora indignantly. “It’s all in the letter there. Read for yourself.”
“But he really ought to have given you some reference, dear, if he asked you for money.”
“Well, I don’t want any reference. I believe him. I’d be ashamed to doubt a man like that! And you would, after you read that letter, and look into those blessed children’s faces. Besides, he never thought of such a thing—I know he didn’t. Why, he says right in the letter there that he never asked for help before, and he was so ashamed that he had to now.”
[Illustration with caption: “AND LOOK INTO THOSE BLESSED CHILDREN’S FACES”]
Mr. Smith made a sudden odd little noise in his throat. Perhaps he got choked. At all events, he was seized with a fit of coughing just then.
Miss Maggie turned over the letter in her hand.
“Where does he tell you to send the money?”
“It’s right there—Box four hundred and something; and I got a money order, just as he said.”
“You got one! Do you mean that you’ve already sent this money?” cried Miss Maggie.