Part 32 (1/2)
For some unaccountable reason she seemed disappointed at the discovery.
”Now run downstairs and put it in the stove,” she commanded excitedly.
”Wait till every smitch of it's burned up an' then come back.”
”Yes, marm.”
But again Melvina loitered.
”I tell you the thing is mine to do with as I please,” declared Ellen angrily.
”Yes, marm.”
”Ain't you going?”
”Y-e-s.”
As she heard the nurse's reluctant step on the stairs, an evil light came into the old woman's face.
”I'll fix that!” she whispered aloud.
It took Melvina some time to fulfill her errand, but at length she returned, and the moment she was inside the door Ellen's shrill query greeted her:
”Well, did you burn it?”
”Yes, marm.”
”Every sc.r.a.p of it?”
”Yes.”
”You didn't leave nothin'?”
”No.”
The woman in the bed drew a satisfied breath.
”That's all right then. Now get me a drink of water, an' I'll go to sleep.”
The sleep she craved, however, did not come, for throughout the night she continued to move unceasingly.
”Your aunt didn't so much as close her eyes,” announced Melvina to Lucy the next morning, while the two sat at breakfast. Nevertheless, although she advanced this information, with characteristic secretiveness she said nothing of the happenings of the previous evening.
Truly if ”Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles,” Melvina's eternal serenity of spirit was a.s.sured.
CHAPTER XIV
A PIECE OF DIPLOMACY