text: The next day after breakfast, Colleen walked down to the post office, which was located in Tallcott's Drug Store, and found she had a letter from an Arne Knudsen in Babbitt, Minnesota. She opened the letter with trepidation and read:
  
  Dear Mrs. Milburn,
  
  We were sad to hear about the deaths of Leif and Inga. We advised them against going so late in the season, but Leif was determined. I am working in the iron mines near Babbitt, and I cannot get away to come for little Astrid. My wife has been ill all winter, and the wages in the mines are barely enough to keep my own family.
  
  I'm sorry to tell you all this, but if things change, I will write again and let you know. It's nearly 700 miles over difficult terrain to get to where you are, and then, of course, the trip back. All in all, it would take near two months there and back, and I can't go without working for that long. There's not much we can do. Please tell Astrid I'm sorry. I hope you'll take good care of her. I regret we can't do it ourselves.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Arne Knudsen
  
  The dear man had paid 12 cents to mail the letter, 12 cents he probably didn't have to spare. Colleen was saddened by the letter and the desperation of the Knudsen family, but she understood. So it looked as if she and Grit had a responsibility to Astrid. She hurried from the drugstore and rushed over to Conroy's General Store to show the letter to Grit.
  
  When she walked up, Grit said, "We've been gathering all the things on your list, and we're almost done."
  
  Colleen held out the letter and said, "This letter was waiting for us at the post office."
  
  Grit read the letter slowly, looked up at Colleen and asked, "Does this mean they're leaving her for us to raise?"
  
  "It seems that way," she said, "but I'd really like to get a court order or something so that nobody can take her away from us later."
  
  "Let's buy all the things we need, and we'll see a lawyer," Grit said. "He can probably advise us."
  
  As they were gathering their purchases, Paulie found two pairs of leather boxing gloves in a back corner of the store. He grabbed them and took them up to Grit.
  
  "Just what we need," Paulie said.
  
  Grit smiled and examined the gloves. "They look like they'll last awhile. Buy 'em, and we'll start doing some real sparring."