Polly had risen, and Miss Sterling drew her within the circle of her arm. "When the time comes we'll decide what is best to do," said she.
"I should think the time had come now!" the girl fumed. "Poor Miss
Twining! It's just an outrage!"
"Oh, I forgot!" Mrs. Albright bent toward Polly, with lowered voice. "She gave me something for you, dear."
"Me?" Polly calmed at once.
"Yes. When I was with her in the night I think she feared that her heart might give out, and she said, 'If anything should happen, I wish you would give Polly those papers in my portfolio—or you may give her the whole portfolio. She will understand.'"
"Oh, I know! Yesterday morning she was planning to write some poems, and those must be the 'papers.' But perhaps she won't want me to have them now."
"She spoke of it again to-day," nodded Mrs. Albright. "She said she should somehow feel easier for you to keep them."
"I hope Miss Sniffen won't rummage round and get hold of them first," returned Polly anxiously.
"I guess she won't find 'em in a hurry!" chuckled Mrs. Albright.
"They're in my room!"