“Niece Elvira: Thinking you might be anxious to hear from me, I write to say that I reached home safely. But since my arrival I have had an attack of rheumatic fever. Therefore, feeling that life is uncertain, yesterday I made my will. Before visiting you I had decided to leave my property to you; but I changed my mind, and have concluded to leave it to the Home for Aged Women, a charitable institution, where it will, I hope, do a great deal of good.
“I shall not visit you again. It would be too much of a tax on you to ask you to put up with my odd ways. As you remarked to Clara when I came that you would be delighted to have me go, this information will doubtless be pleasing to you. Besides, I have a presentiment that I shall not live long, notwithstanding Clara’s fears to the contrary.
“Although deaf as an adder when I came to visit you, my hearing has been wonderfully restored, so that I can now dispense with my ear-trumpet. I therefore send it to you, hoping it may do you as good service as it did me, in showing me for what I was valued most.
“Aunt Patience.”
(Mrs. G. and Clara look blankly at each other.)
Mrs. G. So it seems we are not to have any of Aunt Patience’s money after all.
C. (indignantly). It’s a real mean thing for any one to be so deceitful—going round pretending to be deaf. I’m glad she isn’t coming here again. I couldn’t endure the sight of her.
Serv. (entering, R.). Here’s a note that Mr. Montgomery left for you.
C. (surprised). Has he been here?
Serv. Yes, he came just after the expressman brought the box.