"Horrible!" he exclaimed, as he reached the last word. "Where did this letter come from Dorothy? How did you get it?"
"Kassy brought it. A man gave her half a dollar—she thought it had good news in it. Oh, Uncle!" (seeing the wrath in Mr. Reed's face), "she ought not to have taken it, of course, but she doesn't know any better—and I didn't notice either, when I opened it, that it had no post-mark."
"Did you read it all?"
Dorothy nodded.
"Well, I must go. I'll attend to this letter. The scoundrel! You are not going to faint, my child?" putting his arm quickly around her.
"Oh, no, Uncle," she said, looking up at him with an effort. "But what does it mean? Who is this man?"
"I'll tell you later, Dorry. I must go now—"
"Uncle, you are so angry! Wait one moment. Let me go with you."
Her frightened look brought Mr. Reed to his senses. In a calmer voice he begged her to give herself no uneasiness, but to lie down again and rest. He would send Lydia up, for he must lose no time in attending to that letter. He was just going to open the door, when Josie Manning's pleasant voice was heard at the foot of the stair: "Is any one at home? May I come up?"
"Oh, no," shuddered Dorothy.