She lifted it inside and closed the door, then began with eager, trembling hands to unpack it and examine the contents.
There was the promised roll of work, a note pinned to it, on opening which she found, not only the promised directions, but liberal pay in advance.
She read the note aloud in tones faltering with emotion and eyes so dimmed with tears that she could scarcely see.
“Mother,” she cried, “did you ever hear of such kind, generous people?”
“It is because they are Christians; they do it for the dear Master’s sake,” responded Mrs. Allen, her own voice quivering with feeling.
“I’m sure of it, mother, and that he sent them to help us in our sore need. Just look! just look!” as she took out one article after another from the basket and laid it upon the table. “How we shall feast for the next few days! Here are tea, coffee, sugar, a cold chicken, delicious looking bread and rolls, fresh-laid eggs (I am sure they’re that from their appearance), and a pot of currant jelly. It’s wonderful how many things they have thought of! I shall try very hard to do the work to please them.
“What a lovely, beautiful lady Mrs. Travilla is! But I don’t know how to believe she’s really grandmother to Miss Lulu.”
“Perhaps a step-grandmother,” suggested Mrs. Allen. “She can’t be the captain’s mother, though I noticed he called her that.”
“What a noble-looking man he is! and the little girl! Weren’t you pleased with her, mother?”
“Yes; with both her looks and her behavior.”