Now be sure and come.
DANIEL." This letter reached Miss Rachel just before Jack went to school one morning.

She read it through, first in surprise, then with an appearance of pleasure.
"Who's your letter from, Aunt Rachel ?" asked Jack, innocently.
"Children shouldn't ask questions about what don't concern 'em," said his aunt.
"I thought maybe it was a love letter," said he.
"Don't make fun of your aunt," said his father, reprovingly.
"Jack's question is only a natural one," said Rachel, to her brother's unbounded astonishment.

"I suppose I ain't so old but I might be married if I wanted to." "I thought you had put all such thoughts out of your head long ago, Rachel." "If I have, it's because the race of men are so shiftless," said his sister.

"They ain't worth marrying." "Is that meant for me ?" asked the cooper, good-naturedly.
"You're all alike," said Rachel, tossing her head.
She put the letter carefully into her pocket, without deigning any explanation.
"I suppose it's from some of her old acquaintances," thought her brother, and he dismissed the subject.
As soon as she could, Rachel took refuge in her room.

She carefully locked the door, and read the letter again.
"Who can he be ?" thought the agitated spinster.