Mrs. Meeker was prepared to utter a faint shriek, but it occurred to her
that it would not appear well where she was. The young clerical
gentleman cast a look of disgust and indignation on the intruder, who
did not stop to resent it, but turned quickly on his heel and left the
place.
Mrs. Meeker, after waiting a moment to regain her composure, opened the
note, and read as follows:
'DEAR MA: Come to me directly, and bring all the money you
can. I am in a terrible fix! GUS.'
Mrs. Meeker pushed aside the rich purple silk she was examining, with so
much suddenness, that the young clerical gentleman could not but notice
it.
'My dear madam, are you ill?' he asked, with a show of devotion
distressing to witness.
'No, oh no; but this moment I recollect I have a commission to execute
for a friend, which I had quite forgotten. And, do you know, I am going
to ask you to drive home, and tell Belle not to delay dinner for me.'
The young clerical gentleman bowed in acquiescence. For him to hear was
to obey. But he felt curious to know what was the cause of so abrupt a
termination of the afternoon's shopping.
'I hope there was nothing unpleasant in that letter?'
It was presuming a good deal to ask such a question, but the young
clerical gentleman could not restrain his curiosity.
'That letter!' exclaimed Mrs. Meeker, now quite herself again--'no,
indeed; it is only a word from Augustus.
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