“Oh! thank you,” said she.  She counted out four of the bills and passed them to Quincy.  “That settles my money debt to you, does it not?” she inquired; “but nothing can pay the debt of gratitude that I owe you for your many acts of kindness to me, Mr. Sawyer.”

“I am fully repaid by that very kind speech of yours,” replied Quincy.  “But what was the important matter you wished to see me about?  I don’t think it was the money.”

“It was not,” said Alice.  “I have little use for money just at present.  I never had so much before at once in all my life.  I shall have to learn to be an heiress.”

“It’s a lesson that is very easily learned,” replied Quincy.

“What I wish to speak about,” continued Alice, musingly, “is Mrs. Putnam’s house.  I could never live in it.  I could never go into that room again;” and she shuddered.

“You can sell it,” interposed Quincy.

“No,” said Alice earnestly, “I am going to give it away.  Father just made a living here, and Ezekiel can do no better, but with the Putnam farm, properly stocked, he can in time become a rich man, for he is a good farmer, and he loves his work.  I wish,” continued Alice, “to give ’Zekiel and Huldy the farm outright, then I would like to loan him enough money to buy live stock and machinery and whatever else he may need, so that he may begin his new life under the most favorable auspices.”

“I think your proposed action a most commendable one,” remarked Quincy.  “I am sure you need anticipate no objections on the part of Squire Rundlett or myself.  Our duties are limited to seeing that all the property that was willed to you is properly delivered.  It gives us no right to interfere with your wishes or to question your motives.  I will see Squire Rundlett at an early day and have the matter put into shape.  Does Ezekiel know of this?”

“Not a word,” said Alice; “I do not wish to speak to him about it until the matter is all settled and the papers are signed.  He is high spirited, and at the first mention I know he would refuse my offer, especially if he thought ’twas only known to us two.  But when he learns that the deed is done, and that the Squire and yourself are knowing to it, he will be more tractable.”

“Speaking of the Putnam house, or more properly, I suppose, Pettengill house number two—­”

“This will always be number one,” interposed Alice.

“—­reminds me,” said Quincy, that my efforts to discover Lindy’s whereabouts have so far proved unavailing.  The advertisement that I put in for a month has run out and I have received no word.”

“Do you think she went to New York, as she promised?” inquired Alice.

“I do not,” replied Quincy.  “I think she always had an idea that Mrs. Putnam had some letter or document in her possession relating to her parents.  I think the poor girl lost hope when she learned that it was destroyed, and I imagine that she has intentionally hidden herself and does not wish to be found.  I might, after long search, discover her bankers, but she has probably notified them to keep her address a secret.  I do not like to confess,” he continued, “to so abject a failure, but I really do not know what to do next.”