“Thank you, Miss Scrimp, you were very considerate,” said Hattie, gently, as she received the letter, looked calmly at the superscription, and then opened it at the end of the envelope with a dainty little pearl-handled knife.
Miss Scrimp watched every shade on Hattie’s face as the girl read the letter. There was an eager look in her eyes as they scanned the first few lines, then a sudden pallor, and it was followed by a tremulous flush that suffused brow, cheeks, and even her neck.
In spite of an apparent endeavor to keep calm, Hattie was to some extent agitated. She knew that those cross-eyes were fixed upon her, and she did not intend, if she had a secret, to share it with the owner of them.
In a very short time the letter was read and restored to its envelope, and now Miss Scrimp thought it time to try the plan she had formed for finding out who had written to her favorite boarder.
“Hope you’ve good news from your brother, Miss Hattie,” she said. “I heard some one say you had a brother in Californy. Hope he is doin’ well. It’s an awful country for gettin’ rich in, I’ve heard say.”
“My letter brings me very pleasant news, Miss Scrimp. I thank you again for the trouble you took to bring it up to me. You are always kind to me.”
“I ought to be, dear. I haven’t another boarder in this house, out of forty-three all told now, who is as punctual and so little trouble as you. And you can tell your brother so when you write to him.”
“When I do write to my brother I will surely mention you, Miss Scrimp,” said Hattie, with an amused smile.
For, with quick intuition, she saw the aim of the curious woman.
“You didn’t say if he was doing well?” continued Miss Scrimp, determined to get some information.