Fortunately the cruel flames had left Mattie’s face untouched and she looked lovely.  The church was crowded to overflowing, as well as the street.  The text of the sermon was: 

“Greater love hath no man than he who lays down his life for a friend.”

Mattie had “given service” as well as laying down her life for a friend, and the whole town marvelled at her bravery.

CHAPTER XIII

JUDGE SANDS AND KATE MARRY

In November Kate was married.  The wedding was quiet, as Patty was still an invalid.  They took her with them and left her at Mrs. Hollister’s while they went on their trip.  Nora had arrived for the winter two weeks before.  Mrs. Hollister had entered her in Madam La Rue’s school.  Ethel had insisted upon giving Nora her room and had moved up stairs.

The three girls were sad.  They talked of Mattie and Patty cried constantly.  So after a while they avoided speaking of her in her presence.

Nora looked like one to the manner born.  Mrs. Hollister, having carte blanche to buy for her anything she saw fit, purchased the loveliest second mourning costumes imaginable, and Nora wore them remarkably well.  She had grown more quiet since Mattie’s death.  A great change seemed to have come over her.  She was one of Madam’s brightest pupils and very popular.  Mrs. Hollister was genuinely fond of her and they went everywhere together.

When Mr. Casey came to New York he was surprised at the change.  He’d say to Mrs. Hollister: 

“Faith, ma’am, it’s a perfect lady you’re afther makin’ of my girl.  Her mother would bless you were she here,” and Mrs. Hollister would reply: 

“She is naturally a perfect lady, Mr. Casey, so it’s not hard work.  I consider Nora a very superior girl and I’m very fond of her,” at which the father’s eyes would grow half tearful, and he’d seem proud to hear it.

Nannie Bigelow and Nora became very intimate and she was made much of by Dorothy Kip and Sara Judson.  Nora took an active interest in the Day Nursery and donated generously for its maintenance.  Twice a week she’d go and read to the elder children and get on the floor and play with the younger ones, for she adored babies.  She was especially sweet and generous to Grandmother, spending hours with her lest she should become lonely.  It was like a mother and daughter, instead of a girl and chaperon, to see Mrs. Hollister and Nora go about together.

“I wish I had a son, Nora,” said that lady one day.  “Then I should never have to see you leave me.”

Nora blushed rosy red, saying: 

“I wish you had, Mrs. Hollister.  I dislike to think of our separation.”

Mr. Casey sent the most wonderful barrels of apples and potatoes from his own place to the Hollisters, and when he came to New York he’d order fruit from the most expensive fruiterers to be sent three times a week, say nothing of boxes of flowers which came regularly throughout the entire winter.