I earned it myself." I remember so well their astonishment and the trembling of their hands and the look of their faces.
"It's grand--ayes!" Aunt Deel said in a low tone.
She rose in a moment and beckoned to me and my uncle.

We followed her through the open door to the other room.
"I'll tell ye what I'd do," she whispered.

"I'd give 'em to ol' Kate--ayes! She's goin' to stay with us till to-morrow." "Good idee!" said Uncle Peabody.
So I took the money out of their hands and went in and gave it to the Silent Woman.
"That's your present from me," I said.
How can I forget how she held my arm against her with that loving, familiar, rocking motion of a woman who is soothing a baby at her breast and kissed my coat sleeve?
She released my arm and, turning to the window, leaned her head upon its sill and shook with sobs.

The dusk had thickened.

As I returned to my seat by the stove I could dimly see her form against the light of the window.