CHAPTER XIV.
"I am quite certain, Mrs.Tod, that it would be much better for her; and, if she consents, it shall be so," said John, decisively.
We three were consulting, the morning after the death, on a plan which he and I had already settled between ourselves, namely, that we should leave our portion of the cottage entirely at Miss March's disposal, while we inhabited hers--save that locked and silent chamber wherein there was no complaining, no suffering now.
Either John's decision, or Mrs.Tod's reasoning, was successful; we received a message to the effect that Miss March would not refuse our "kindness." So we vacated; and all that long Sunday we sat in the parlour lately our neighbour's, heard the rain come down, and the church bells ring; the wind blowing autumn gales, and shaking all the windows, even that of the room overhead.

It sounded awful THERE.

We were very glad the poor young orphan was away.
On the Monday morning we heard going up-stairs the heavy footsteps that every one at some time or other has shuddered at; then the hammering.
Mrs.Tod came in, and told us that no one--not even his daughter--could be allowed to look at what had been "poor Mr.March," any more.

All with him was ended.
"The funeral is to be soon.

I wonder what she will do then, poor thing!" John made me no answer.
"Is she left well provided for, do you think ?" "It is impossible to say." His answers were terse and brief enough, but I could not help talking about the poor young creature, and wondering if she had any relative or friend to come to her in this sad time.
"She said--do you remember, when she was crying--that she had not a friend in the wide world ?" And this fact, which he expressed with a sort of triumph, seemed to afford the greatest possible comfort to John.
But all our speculations were set at rest by a request brought this moment by Mrs.Tod--that Mr.Halifax would go with her to speak to Miss March.
"I! only I ?" said John, starting.
"Only you, sir.