Mudge laughed
till she cried.
The day wore on and no carrier came for the box. After dinner Miss
Toller told Mrs. Mudge she must go out for a few minutes to get a
charwoman; that she would take the latch-key, and that nobody would
call. She had gone about a quarter of an hour when there was a ring
at the bell. Mrs. Mudge went to the door and, behold, there was
Helen!
'The Lord have mercy on us! Why did you run away so suddenly?'
'Don't ask me. Never you say a word about it to me. I'm a sinner:
where's Miss Toller?'
Helen listened in silence as Mrs. Mudge told her the eventful
history of the last twelve hours. She went upstairs: Miss Toller's
bedroom door was open, and on the drawers she saw a little packet
tied up with blue silk.
It was addressed 'for dear Helen.' She tore it open, and there was
a locket and in it was her beloved mistress's hair--the mistress to
whom she had been so cruel, who had so nobly defended her. She
threw herself on the bed and her heart almost broke. Suddenly she
leaped up, flew down into the kitchen, and began washing up the
plates and dishes.
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