And he knows you are rich and could do good if you felt like it.

Her father's name was John Thayer.

I wouldn't wonder if you used to know her mother.

She was Emily Richards afore she married and they used to live in Orham.
Yours truly, ELIZABETH HOWES.
P.S .-- Mary's address is Mrs.Mary Thomas, care Mrs.Oliver, 128 Blank Street, Concord, N.H.
N.B .-- Seth won't say so, but I will: we are very hard up ourselves and if you could help him and me with the loan of a little money it would be thankfully received.
Captain Cy read the letter, folded it, and replaced it in his pocket.
He knew the Howes family by reputation, and the reputation was that of general sharpness in trade and stinginess in money matters.

Betsy's personal appeal did not, therefore, touch his heart to any great extent.
He surmised also that for Seth Howes and his wife to ask help for some person other than themselves premised a darky in the woodpile somewhere.
But for the daughter of Emily Richards to be suggested as a possible housekeeper at the Cy Whittaker place--that was interesting, certainly.
When the captain was not a captain--when he was merely "young Cy," a boy, living with his parents, a dancing school was organized in Bayport.
It was an innovation for our village, and frowned upon by many of the older and stricter inhabitants.