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Chapter 10
Themattresseswhichhadbeenonthefloorweregone.Thebureausweresold.Onthefloorlayabrokencomb,anemptytalcumpowdercan,andafewdustmice.Masetherlanternonthefloor.Shereachedbehindoneoftheboxesthathadservedaschairsandbroughtoutastationerybox,oldandsoiledandcrackedatthecorners.Shesatdownandopenedthebox.Insidewereletters,clippings,photographs,apairofearrings,alittlegoldsignetring,andawatchchainbraidedofhairandtippedwithgoldswivels.Shetouchedtheletterswithherfingers,touchedthemlightly,andshesmoothedanewspaperclippingonwhichtherewasanaccountofTom’strial.Foralongtimesheheldthebox,lookingoverit,andherfingersdisturbedthelettersandthenlinedthemupagain.Shebitherlowerlip,thinking,remembering.Andatlastshemadeuphermind.Shepickedoutthering,thewatchcharm,theearrings,dugunderthepileandfoundonegoldcufflink.Shetookaletterfromanenvelopeanddroppedthetrinketsintheenvelope.Thengentlyandtenderlysheclosedtheboxandsmoothedthetopcarefullywithherfingers.Herlipsparted.Thenshestoodup,tookherlantern,andwentbackintothekitchen.Sheliftedthestovelidandlaidtheboxgentlyamongthecoals.Quicklytheheatbrownedthepaper.Aflamelickedupandoverthebox.Shereplacedthestovelidandinstantlythefiresighedupandbreathedoverthebox.
OUTINTHEDARKYARD,workinginthelanternlight,PaandAlloadedthetruck.Toolsonthebottom,buthandytoreachincaseofabreakdown.
