"Josie and I have called," said the widow, "to talk with you about the estate matters. Mr. Lattimore came to see us last night and--told us." She seemed a little agitated, but in nowise so much cast down as might be expected of one who, considering herself rich, learns that she is poor. She had in her manner that mixture of dignity and constraint which marks the bearing of people whose relations with their friends have been affected by some great grief. A calamity not only changes our own feelings, but it makes us uncertain as to what our friends expect of us. "What we wish explained," said Josie, "is just how it comes that our property must be deeded away." "I can see," said I, "that that is a matter which demands investigation on your part. Your request is a natural and a proper one." "It is not that," said she, evidently objecting to the word investigation; "we are not so very much surprised, and we have no doubt as to the necessity of doing it. But we want to know as much as possible about it before we act." "Quite right," said I. "Mr. Elkins is in the next office; let us call him in. He sees and can explain these things as clearly as any one." Jim came in response to a summons by one of his clerks. He shook hands gravely with my visitors. "We are told," said Mrs. Trescott, "that our debts are a good deal more than we can pay--that we really have nothing." "Not quite that," said Jim; "the law gives to the widow the home and the life insurance. That is a good deal more than nothing." "As to whether we can keep that," said Josie, "we are not discussing now; but there are some other things we should like cleared up." "We don't understand Mr. Cornish's offer to take the property and pay the debts," said Mrs. Trescott. Jim's glance sought mine in a momentary and questioning astonishment; then he calmly returned the widow's look. Josie's eyes were turned toward the carpet, and a slight blush tinged her cheeks. "Ah," said Jim, "yes; Mr. Cornish's offer. How did you learn of it?" "I got my understanding of it from Mr. Lattimore," said Mrs. Trescott, "and told Josie about it." "Before we consent to carry out this plan," said Josie, "we ... I want to know all about the motives and considerations back of it. I want to know whether it is based on purely business considerations, or on some fancied obligation ... or ... or ... on merely friendly sentiments." "As to motives," said Mr. Elkins, "if the purely business requirements of the situation fully account for the proposition, we may waive the discussion of motives, can't we, Josie?" "I imagine," said Mrs. Trescott, finding that Jim's question remained unanswered, "that none of us will claim to be able to judge Mr. Cornish's motives." "Certainly not," acquiesced Mr. Elkins. "None of us."