_June_ 6. "I tried to write last evening after the funeral, but so much had happened I was too much excited. I called on Mr. McKinstry twice. But he was out, so I had to head my list with some other name. I found the gentlemen very good-natured and generous, listening patiently to my story about Sarah and never offering me less than ten dollars. Yesterday morning I had seventy-five toward the three hundred that I consider necessary for a year's schooling, and went to Mr. McKinstry again for his twenty-five, feeling quite rich at the thought that with that, one third had been raised with so little trouble. "The good man was looking over the names while he asked me questions about Sarah; for he had taken a lively interest in her, and at last I grew quite confidential. "Now I have come to a part where I fear, Frank, you will blame me; and I must confess my own conscience pricks me a little. I was saying, 'If I can't make up all the sum, I must contrive to collect a debt of thirty dollars owing her.' "'Certainly you must. But, Miss Edmond, you have omitted your guardian's name. Has he not given you something?' "'I have not asked him.' "Then you must, without delay. It was at his store I met your protégé; and her modesty and grace of manner greatly prepossessed me in her favor.' "'What was her errand?' I asked, feeling my face burn with shame. "'To collect a bill which Mrs. Tracy had overlooked, and which he paid at once. I remember he spoke of the girl after he came back with the receipt, and said he could not forgive himself for her apparent distress; or rather, he expressed deep regret that he had never heard of her before. He remarked that he should not soon forget her.' "I could not sit still and hear this. I started to my feet, and I have no doubt I looked like a fury, as you say I do when I'm angry. "'Did you imagine Mr. Tracy followed poor Sarah from the room to pay her?' I asked. "'Of course I did.' "'But, Mr. McKinstry, he did not. He knew well of her distress, and was annoyed at her continuing to urge the bill upon his wife, which her mother's sickness obliged her to do. I heard him abuse her, and threaten never to give her a dollar if she was so impertinent. She should wait, he said, till it pleased him to pay it. When she humbly urged that she had done the work under price, because her need was so great, and represented their starving condition, he actually shut the door in her face. I believe she was starving then.' "'Can this be true?' he asked, gazing in my face as if he would read me through. "'Yes, sir, every word of it. I ran out by the servants' door, and gave her what change I had in my purse, and that was how our acquaintance began.' "'Are you sure he did not pay the bill on the day she called?'