Rebecca Mary began all
hers "Dear Aunt Olivia," and ended them all "Respectfully your
niece, Rebecca Mary Plummer."
"Dear Rebecca Mary," began Aunt Olivia's. "Your aff. aunt, Olivia
Plummer," they closed. Yet both their hearts were breaking. Some
hearts break quicker than others; Plummer hearts hold out
splendidly, but in the end--
In the end Aunt Olivia went to see the minister and was closeted
with him for a little. The minister's wife could hear them talking--
mostly the minister--but she could not hear what they said.
"It's come," she nodded, sagely. "I was sure it would. That's
what the little, white cat purred when she rubbed against my skirts,
'She can't stand it much longer. She doesn't sleep nights nor eat
days--she's giving out.' Poor Miss Olivia!--but I can't understand
Rebecca Mary."
"It's the Plummer in her," the little, white cat would have purred.
"You wait!"
Aunt Olivia turned back at the minister's study door. "Then you
will?" she said, eagerly. "You're perfectly willing to? I don't
want to feel--"
"You needn't feel," the minister smiled. "I'm more than willing.
I'm delighted. But in the matter of--er--remuneration, I cannot
let you--"
"You needn't let me," smiled Miss Olivia; "I'll do it without."
She was gently radiant. Her pitifully thin face, so transfigured,
touched the big heart of the minister.
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