One of the last things she said to me was that I should take some of the choicest patterns to my western home, notably "little John's first short dress edge."
"You have been a helper to us in more ways than one. God will bless you, Mrs. John."
"Is there nothing you would have me do now? Dear Miss Chrissy, do not hesitate to speak."
She did hesitate. "I don't think of anything. My papers have long been drawn up. Lawyer Thomas will attend to them. You know our little savings are to go to the Home for Aged Women."
I never saw her again. Sitting one day, placid and patient, she fell asleep over the yellow box; and when they lifted the soft white old face, all was still.
"Here we are, safe and sound," cheerily said the driver of the huge black ambulance, as he pulled up before the piazza of Crestdale, the beautiful villa whose tower had been tantalizing the travelers for several miles.
A party of five descended from the wagon as the wide doors were flung open by the housekeeper, and a kindly welcome greeted them, as well as comfortable fires.
"My! how cold it is," exclaimed a fresh young voice, as the speaker hurried close to the generous heater.
"Be careful, dear, or you will burn your coat," warned an older lady, while a stalwart young fellow tenderly loosed the seal wrap in question.
Placing the fair wearer in a great arm-chair, he said: "There, Mademoiselle Jessie, be a good girl--if you can. Now, sister ours, what can I do for you?" turning gallantly to the other lady.
"Thanks, you foolish boy," was the pleasant rejoinder; "look after those parcels and those live commodities shivering there."
The live commodities were a maltese cat, a canary bird, and two raw recruits from Erin; and the "foolish boy" at once set about assigning places for people and things.
"There's a kitchen somewhere back here; come along, Michael. All right, Katie, follow me, and fetch the menagerie with you."
Duly installing them in their domain, the young man made his way back through the wide, chilly rooms that intervened, and joined the ladies who were fast making themselves at home.
"A trifle bleak this, isn't it?" he said, rubbing his hands before the blazing logs. "But just take note of that fragrant beefsteak. Say, girls, I don't see any table set anywhere;" and he looked ruefully around.