At breakfast she heard many surmises regarding the strange noises about the building, before the workmen on the L were there.  She decided to keep silent unless she were asked.  It would be known early enough.

The electrician had come and gone, leaving on a table by the window the little instrument which seemed to its happy possessor to be almost alive.  She stood looking at it and wondering how soon it would be in working order, when Mrs. Albright came in.

At once she saw the telephone, and stared in astonishment.

Miss Sterling laughed.  “No more midnight troubles!”

“I am so surprised I don’t know what to say.”  The visitor sat down.

“It isn’t usable yet,” Miss Sterling told her.  “The man said he had to do some wiring in the cellar, make connections, and so on.”

“Won’t it be lovely for you!” cried Mrs. Albright.

“For all of us,” amended the other.  “I want the ladies to feel that it belongs to them as well as to me, and to come and use it whenever they wish.”

“That is good of you!  I’m sure it is needed badly enough.  Isn’t it nice that Miss Crilly is doing so well?”

“Yes, I’m glad as can be!  I felt she would come out all right, but it is better to know it.”

“She owes her life to you.  I never should have dared to brave Miss Sniffen’s anger, as you did.”

“I guess I shouldn’t have dared, if I hadn’t known there was somebody ready to stand by me in case of need.”

“That must have helped.  Miss Sterling, I couldn’t keep from hearing what you told Miss Crilly last night.”

“I supposed you would; in fact, I meant you should hear.”

“Well, I am so glad!  You don’t know how glad!  Only I can’t bear the thought of losing you.”

“Don’t begin to worry yet!  I shall not go at present.”

“Well, I wish you all possible joy, and I feel sure you’ll have it—­with such a good man.  My married life was short,—­only one year,—­but it was packed full of happiness.  I have had the memory of that all these years.”

“Was it sudden?”

“Like that!” She snapped her fingers.  “We were in New York—­on a pleasure trip!” She smiled sadly.  “A runaway horse struck him down—­he was gone in an instant!”

Tears sprang to the eyes of the listener.

“Now I ought not to have told you!” Mrs. Albright said regretfully.

“Yes, you ought!  I am glad you did!  I knew you had had sorrow; but I didn’t know just what it was.”

“Death isn’t the worst thing that can happen,” she smiled.  “I try to think only of the happiness I’ve had, instead of the rest.  And, my dear, I cannot wish you any greater joy than I had as long as Jack was with me.”

“It must be good to have that to remember.  Sometimes—­”

“Ting! ting!  Ting! ting!”

“Why!—­I wonder—­” Miss Sterling ran over to the telephone.