know why I've done it? Do you know why I
promised so quick and easy I WOULD do it?"

"Out of the kindness of your heart, I think."

The acid laugh was repeated. "NO, ma 'am!
You couldn't of guessed colder. I promised, and
I kept my promise, because I knew there would
never be anything good to tell! AND THERE NEVER
WAS!"

"Nothing at all?" she insisted, gravely.

"Never! I leave it to you if I've written one
good word of him."

"You've written of the treatment he has
received here," she began, "and I've been able to
see what he has borne--and bears!"

"But have I written one word to show that he
didn't deserve it all? Haven't I told you everything,
of his associates, his--"

"Indeed you have!"

"Then do you wonder that I was more surprised
than most when I saw you walking with him to-
day? Because I knew you did it in cold blood
and knowledge aforethought! Other folks thought