Miss Patch was teaching her some different kinds of needlework, and while Jessie worked her teacher would read to her; and those readings in that peaceful room were Jessie's greatest delight.
Then one day, when they least expected it, came an end to it all, and all the ordinary everyday life they had lived together in that house for months past was finished by a violent knocking at the front door.
At least that was the first sign they had of the change that was impending! Such a knocking it was! it echoed through the house, and up and down the street, making them both spring to their feet in dire alarm.
Miss Patch gave a sharp cry and her hand flew to her side.
Jessie's face blanched, and her eyes grew dark with fear.
"Who can it be!" she gasped; "who--what--what can have happened ?" Mrs.Lang was out, gone to the cemetery, so there was no one to answer the knock but Jessie herself, and realizing it she ran trembling down the stairs.

She had delayed only a moment, but before she reached the foot of the stairs there came another knock, longer and louder than the first.

Jessie threw herself on the door and flung it open.

A man was standing on the step, evidently trying to keep himself from making another assault on the door.

He seemed almost beside himself with excitement or fright, or something very like both.
"Where's your mother ?" he demanded impatiently.
"Out," said Jessie shortly, something in the man's manner increased her alarm until she could scarcely utter a word.