"
But Father couldn't wait to put away the machine. He bounded out like a
four-year-old and came right in then, regardless of the fact that it was
getting dark and he might run into the door-jamb putting away the
machine later.
He settled down, overcoat and all, into the big chair in the kitchen to
listen; and Mother put on her spectacles in such a hurry that she got
them upside down and had to begin over again.
YOU DEAR MOTHER MARSHALL! [the letter began.]
AND DEAR FATHER MARSHALL, TOO!
I think it is just the most wonderful thing that I ever
heard of that you are willing to invite a stranger like me
to visit you! At first I thought it wasn't right to accept
such great kindness from people I never saw, and who didn't
know whether they could even like me or not. But afterward
Mr. Courtland told me about your Stephen and that you had
suffered, too! And then I knew that I might take you at your
word and come for a little while to get the comfort I need
so much! Even then I couldn't have done it if Mr. Courtland
and my nurse hadn't told me they were sure I could get
something to do and so be able to repay you for all this
kindness. If I can really be of any comfort to you in your
loneliness I shall be so glad. But I'm afraid I could never
even half fill the place of so fine a son as you must have
had. Mr. Courtland has told me how grandly he died.
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