The presents were a secret from him, all except the handsome point-lace coiffure which Aunt Barbara sent to Mrs.Markham, together with a letter which she had sat up till midnight to write, and in which she had touchingly commended her darling to the new mother's care and consideration.
"You will find my Ethie in some respects a spoiled child--[she wrote] but it is more my fault than hers.

I have loved her so much, and petted her so much, that I have doubt if she knows what a harsh word or cross look means.

She has been carefully and delicately brought up, but has repaid me well for all my pains by her tender love.

Please, dear Mrs.
Markham, be very, very kind to her, and you will greatly oblige, your most obedient servant, "BARBARA BIGELOW.
"P.S.

I dare say your ways out West are not exactly like our ways at the East, and Ethie may not fall in with them at once, perhaps never with some of them, but I am sure she will do what is right, as she is a sensible girl.