He gave a despairing glance at Doctor Prescott, who had hitherto said little.

"Can't you convince her it is all right?
She knows you better than the rest of us," he whispered.
Doctor Prescott nodded, arose--he had been sitting apart--went to Mrs.Edwards, and touched her shoulder.

"Mrs.Edwards," said he--Ann gave a terrified yet wholly unyielding flash of her black eyes at him--"Mrs.Edwards, will you please attend to what we have come to tell you.

I have transferred the mortgage note given me by your late husband to Squire Eben Merritt; there is nothing for you to sign.

You will simply pay the interest money to him, instead of to me." "You can tear me to pieces, if you want to," said Ann, "but I won't sign away what little my poor husband left to me and my children, for you or any other man." "Look at me," said the doctor.
Ann never stirred her head.
"Look at me." Ann looked.
"Now," said the doctor, "you listen and you understand.