At this moment the servant returned.
"You are to go upstairs," she said. "Mrs. Merton will see you."
The old lady was sitting back in an easy-chair when Luke entered. She smiled pleasantly.
"This is an unexpected pleasure," she said, "this after-noon call."
"I will tell you at once what brought me, Mrs. Merton."
"It isn't sickness at home, I hope?"
"No, I came for a comparative stranger."
Then Luke told the story of Ambrose Kean, his sudden yielding to temptation, his repentance and remorse.
"I am interested in your friend," said Mrs. Merton. "You say he appropriated fifty dollars?"
"Yes, but it was to help his mother."