CHAPTER XXXII.
AUNT MATILDA'S LETTER.
One afternoon, about the end of October, Aunt Matilda was sitting in her big straight-backed chair, on one side of her fireplace.

There was a wood fire blazing on the hearth, for the days were getting cool and the old woman liked to be warm.

On the other side of the fireplace sat Uncle Braddock.

Sitting on the floor, between the two, were John William Webster and Dick Ford.

In the doorway stood Gregory Montague.