Then suddenly her small hand gripped tightly upon the sponge, so that the water started from it and dripped in a little pattering deluge upon the bricks.
The letter--or rather printed notice--informed McTeague that he had never received a diploma from a dental college, and that in consequence he was forbidden to practise his profession any longer.

A legal extract bearing upon the case was attached in small type.
"Why, what's all this ?" said Trina, calmly, without thought as yet.
"I don' know, I don' know," answered her husband.
"You can't practise any longer," continued Trina,--"'is herewith prohibited and enjoined from further continuing----'" She re-read the extract, her forehead lifting and puckering.

She put the sponge carefully away in its wire rack over the sink, and drew up a chair to the table, spreading out the notice before her.

"Sit down," she said to McTeague.

"Draw up to the table here, Mac, and let's see what this is." "I got it this morning," murmured the dentist.