"There," said he, "show her my card." So much the rich
uncle thought he might vouchsafe to do for the nephew's widow.
Mrs. Bell and both her daughters were in the parlour when Aaron Dunn
was shown in, snow and all. He told his story in a rough, shaky
voice, for his teeth chattered; and he gave the card, almost wishing
that he had gone to the empty big hotel, for the widow's welcome was
not at first quite warm.
The widow listened to him as he gave his message, and then she took
the card and looked at it. Hetta, who was sitting on the side of
the fireplace facing the door, went on demurely with her work.
Susan gave one glance round--her back was to the stranger--and then
another; and then she moved her chair a little nearer to the wall,
so as to give the young man room to come to the fire, if he would.
He did not come, but his eyes glanced upon Susan Bell; and he
thought that the old man in New York was right, and that the big
hotel would be cold and dull. It was a pretty face to look on that
cold evening as she turned it up from the stocking she was mending.
"Perhaps you don't wish to take winter boarders, ma'am?" said Aaron
Dunn.
"We never have done so yet, sir," said Mrs. Bell timidly. Could she
let this young wolf in among her lamb-fold? He might be a wolf;--
who could tell?
"Mr.
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