One morning, three or four days after their departure, she received a letter from Miss Benson.  She could not open it at first, and put it on one side, clenching her hands over it all the time.  At last she tore it open.  Leopard was safe as yet.  There were a few lines in his great round hand, speaking of events no larger than the loss of a beautiful “alley.”  There was a sheet from Miss Benson.  She always wrote letters in the manner of a diary.  “Monday we did so-and-so; Tuesday, so-and-so, &c.”  Ruth glanced rapidly down the pages.  Yes, here it was!  Sick, fluttering heart, be still!

“In the middle of the damsons, when they were just on the fire, there was a knock at the door.  My brother was out, and Sally was washing up, and I was stirring the preserve with my great apron and bib on; so I bade Leonard come in from the garden and open the door.  But I would have washed his face first if I had known who it was!  It was Mr. Bradshaw and the Mr. Donne that they hope to send up to the House of Commons, as member of Parliament for Eccleston, and another gentleman, whose name I never heard.  They had come canvassing; and when they found my brother was out, they asked Leonard if they could see me.  The child said, ’Yes! if I could leave the damsons;’ and straightway came to call me, leaving them standing in the passage.  I whipped off my apron, and took Leonard by the hand, for I fancied I should feel less awkward if he was with me; and then I went and asked them all into the study, for I thought I should like them to see how many books Thurstan had got.  Then they began talking politics at me in a very polite manner, only I could not make head or tail of what they meant; and Mr. Donne took a deal of notice of Leonard, and called him to him; and I am sure he noticed what a noble, handsome boy he was, though his face was very brown and red, and hot with digging, and his curls all tangled.  Leonard talked back as if he had known him all his life, till, I think Mr. Bradshaw thought he was making too much noise, and bid him remember he ought to be seen, not heard.  So he stood as still and stiff as a soldier, close to Mr. Donne; and as I could not help looking at the two, and thinking how handsome they both were in their different ways, I could not tell Thurstan half the messages the gentlemen left for him.  But there was one thing more I must tell you, though I said I would not.  When Mr. Donne was talking to Leonard, he took off his watch and chain and put it round the boy’s neck, who was pleased enough, you may be sure.  I bade him give it back to the gentleman, when they were all going away; and I was quite surprised, and very uncomfortable, when Mr. Donne said he had given it to Leonard, and that he was to keep it for his own.  I could see Mr. Bradshaw was annoyed, and he and the other gentleman spoke to Mr. Donne, and I heard them say, ’too barefaced;’ and I shall never forget Mr. Donne’s proud, stubborn look back at them, nor his way of saying, ’I