Directly after dinner Mr. Wallingford met his appointment at Dr. Gilbert's, carrying with him a note to Marion which was, to say the least, correctly spelled.
"Will it do?" she asked her brother, glancing half shyly in his face?
"Capitally!" reading aloud.
"If my dear sister knew how much
good it would do me to have her
spend the afternoon and evening
here, I think she would come."
Dr. and Mrs. Gilbert speedily convinced their visitor that they took a more than ordinary interest in his sister; and gave their full approval to their daughter's plan; which was that she should review her school lessons, allowing Gertrude to study them; and then that they examine each other preparatory to a more rigorous subsequent examination by the pastor.
"Nothing could have pleased me better than such a plan," warmly responded Mr. Wallingford. "I fully appreciate the delicacy with which the proposal is made; and give my hearty consent on one condition. I know enough of a minister's' life to understand that his hours of leisure are rare; and therefore precious. If you consent, sir, to devote even a brief portion of this leisure to your unfortunate parishioner, I shall insist on your accepting this small sum;" opening his portemonnaie and putting into the clergyman's hand two fifty dollar bills.
"As for Miss Marion, I accept her proffered kindness in the same spirit it is offered; and believe she will find in her own heart a reward for her warm interest in a desolate stranger."