"I will ring for a light," said the widow. She approached the bell, rang it, and the little rosy-faced servant appeared.
"Tea, Mary, at once for two, and some hot cakes, and bring a lamp, please.
"I am glad and I am sorry you have told me," she said. "I will read the letter when the lamp comes. Now warm yourself.
"You poor girl," she said. "I will not touch this letter until I see you looking better.
"I will read this in another room," she said; "you would like to be alone for a little."
She left the room softly with Bertha's letter, and Florence still sat on by the fire. She sat so for some time, and presently, soothed by the warmth, and weary from all the agony she had undergone, the tired-out girl dropped asleep.