I ought to have thought how poor we were, and how hard it would be for us to bring the child up.
But, somehow, I never did think of that--no more did Peggy--no more did Jemmy; not even when we put the baby to bed that night along with our own.
"Well, sir, sure enough, two days after the advertisement come out, it was answered in the cruelest letter I ever set eyes on.

The clergyman he come to me with it.

'It was left this evening,' says he, 'by a strange messenger, who went away directly.

I told my servant to follow him; but it was too late--he was out of sight.' The letter was very short, and we thought it was in a woman's handwriting--a feigned handwriting, the clergyman said.

There was no name signed, and no date at top or bottom.
Inside it there was a ten-pound bank-note; and the person as sent it wrote that it was enclosed to bury the young woman decently.