“Sit down, uncle,” began Reuben, after a pause in which Ezra peered at him anxiously. “I find I must tell you some business of my own to make myself quite clear. I wrote a note to Ruth last night, and I learned from her that she had put an answer between the leaves of Manzini. I took the book home and found a note addressed to Mr. Gold. I opened it, and it was signed with an 'R,' and so I read it. But I can't help thinking it belongs to you. The paper's very yellow and old, and I think “--his voice grew treacherous, and he could scarcely command it--“I think it must have lain there unnoticed for some years.” He held it out rustling and shaking in his hand. Ezra, breathing hard and short, accepted it, and began to grope in his pockets for his spectacle-case. After a while he found it, and tremblingly setting his glasses astride his nose, began to unfold the paper, which crackled noisily in the dead silence. When he had unfolded it he glanced across at Reuben and walked to the window. “Theer's summat wrong,” he said, when he had stood there for a minute or two, with the crisp, thick old paper crackling in his hand. “Summat the matter wi' my eyes. Read it--out.” His voice was ghastly strange. Reuben approached him and took the letter from his fingers. In this exchange their hands met, and Ezra's was like ice. He laid it on Reuben's shoulder, repeating, “Read it out.” “'Dear Mr. Gold,'” read Reuben, “I have not answered your esteemed note until now, though in receipt of it since Thursday.'” “Thursday?” said Ezra. “Thursday,” repeated Reuben. “'For I dare not seem precipitate in such a matter. But I have consulted my own heart, and have laid it before the Throne, knowing no earthly adviser.'” There was such a tremor in the hand which held him that Reuben's voice failed for pure pity. “Yes,” said Ezra. “Goon.” “'Dear Mr. Gold,'” read Reuben, in a voice even less steady than before, “'it shall be as you wish.'” There he paused again, his voice betraying him. “Go on,” said Ezra. “'It shall be as you wish, and I trust God may help me to be a worthy helpmeet. So no more till I hear again from you. R.'” “That's all?” asked Ezra. “That's all.”