When this excitement was over, Beth waited to see what would happen. All that day passed, and a part of the next, before any acknowledgment arrived, and she was beginning to fear she had offended her crotchety friend. On the afternoon of the second day, she went out to do an errand, and give poor Joanna, the invalid doll, her daily exercise. As she came up the street, on her return, she saw three, yes, four, heads popping in and out of the parlor windows, and the moment they saw her, several hands were waved, and several joyful voices screamed⁠—

“Here’s a letter from the old gentleman! Come quick, and read it!”

“O Beth, he’s sent you⁠—” began Amy, gesticulating with unseemly energy; but she got no further, for Jo quenched her by slamming down the window.