to keep all the rooms at
an even temperature on account of Momsey's health.

But she swept vigorously, moving each piece of furniture, and throwing
the rugs out upon the porch for a special sweeping there. The rough mat
at the door was a heavy one. As Nan stooped to pick it up and toss it
after the other small rugs, she saw the corner of a yellow envelope
sticking from under the edge of the hall carpet.

"Wonder what that is?" murmured Nan. "Somebody has thrust a circular,
or advertisement, under our door, and it's gone under the carpet. Yes!
There's a tack out there."

She seized the corner of the envelope with thumb and finger. She drew it
out. Its length surprised her. It was a long, official looking envelope,
not bulky but most important looking. In the upper left-hand corner was
printed:

ADAIR MACKENZIE & CO. STOCKS AND BONDS MEMPHIS

It was properly stamped and addressed to her mother. By the postmark on
it Nan knew it must have been tucked under the door by the postman more
than a week before. Somehow he had failed to ring their bell when he
left the letter. The missing tack in the edge of the hall carpet had
allowed the document to slide out of sight, and it might have been
hidden for weeks longer had chance not shown the small corner of
straw-colored paper to Nan.

She felt breathless. Her knees trembled. Somehow, Nan just KNEW that the
letter from her mother's cousin must be of enormous importance. She
set her broom in the corner and closed the door. It was fated that she
should do no more sweeping that day.

Chapter V. GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Mr. Sherwood, in overalls and an old cap, had been sifting cinders out
behind the shed. They had to be careful of fuel as well as of most other
things. Momsey would not open the long envelope until he had been called
and had come in. Nan still wore the bright colored bandana wound about
her head, turban-wise, for a dust cap. Papa Sherwood beat the ashes from
his hands as he stood before the glowing kitchen range.

"What is it?" he asked calmly. "A notice of a new tax assessment? Or a
cure-all advertisement of Somebody's Pills?"

"It's from Cousin Adair," said Momsey, a little breathlessly. "And it's
been lying at our door all the time."

"All what time?" asked Mr. Sherwood curiously.

"All the time we have been so disappointed in our inquiries elsewhere,"
said Momsey soberly.

"Oh!" responded her husband doubtfully, and said no more.

"It makes my knee