Stepping to the door, she signed to the servant, who immediately brought in a hamper of provisions such as had not been seen under that roof for many months. Mrs. Gibson's eyes glistened at sight of a basket of fine fresh fruit and a bowl of delicious custard.
"I will go now and call again to-morrow," Elsie said, as the man carried away the empty hamper.
Grasping Sally's hand cordially in parting, she left something in it.
"Mother!" cried the girl, breathlessly, holding it up to view, "it's a check for a hundred dollars!"
"'Tisn't possible! let me see!" cried Mrs. Gibson laying down the spoon with which she was eating raspberries and custard, and holding out her hand for the check.
"Yes, so it is! what a godsend! I didn't think even she was so generous. But dear me, she's rolling in wealth, and it's no more to her, or even as much as ten cents would be to you or me."
"Oh, mother!" said Sally, reproachfully, "we have no claim on her; and if she has a good deal of money, she must have hundreds of calls for it."
"No claim on her? why people take care of old servants, and a governess ought to be considered of a good deal more account."
"Tom mustn't know about this, mother."
"No, indeed! the greater part of it would soon go for liquor or at the gambling table, if he did. Here give it to me, and I'll hide it under my pillow."