Not a word, however, did she say with regard to her disposition of the funds: that was a surprise for the future; but after finishing her letter, she caught up a half sheet of paper, in a fierce kind of way, and wrote hurriedly:
“Philip Overton:—I dare say you think me as mean as pussley, and that I kept that money Edna sent for my own, but I assure you, sir, I didn’t. I put every dollar in the bank for her, and added another hundred besides.
“Yours to command, Jerusha Pepper.”
“P.S.—I hope, from some things Edna tells me, you are thinking about your depraved state, while out of the ark of safety.
J. P.”
Edna never saw this letter, for Uncle Phil did not think it best to show it to her; but he read it many times with infinite satisfaction, and took a pinch of snuff each time he read it, and chuckled over it amazingly, and said to himself:
“There’s now and then a good streak about the old gal. Maybe she gets it from the Church,—the ark she calls it. Anyhow, I’ll speak to Carson to-day about the plan. I couldn’t please three wimmen folks better.”
He answered the letter at once, and said:
“Miss Jerusha Pepper:—Well done, good and faithful servant. Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all. Three cheers and a tiger for you.
“P.S.—I ain’t thinkin’ particularly about my depraved condition, but I am thinkin’ of building a chapel for you to enjoy religion in, when you come to visit Edna.