“You’ll stay by me, won’t you?” she pleaded in a whisper, for the first time displaying a consciousness of her helpless, dependent condition. “Promise you won’t desert me. I’m leavin’ you the place an’ ten thousand dollars.”
CHAPTER XIII
MELVINY ARRIVES
When Lucy descended to the kitchen she was surprised to be confronted by Jane Howe.
“Martin told us your aunt was sick, so I came over to see what I could do,” said the visitor softly. “I reckon you’re all up in a heap. Sickness makes a sight of trouble. I know what it is ’cause I’ve had it. Let me take right hold and put the kitchen to rights for you.”
The words were hearty with sincerity, and the woman’s intention of rendering neighborly assistance genuine, for she promptly produced a large pinafore from under her arm and proceeded to put it on.
“You’re just as good as you can be,” Lucy exclaimed. “But indeed I couldn’t think of letting you do my work, especially on such a hot day as this.”
“Why not? Didn’t I just tell you I came to help? If you wasn’t to let me lend a hand when you were in a tight place, I’d feel it 206 warn’t kind of you,” protested Jane, aggrieved. “Fetch the broom, an’ I’ll go straight to sweepin’ up. My, but you have a fine big kitchen here, haven’t you?”