Mrs. Edward , who was on duty at the time , sniffed disagreeably , but she said nothing . The dress was of no value in her eyes , for the pattern was so ugly and old-fashioned that none of her smart daughters would have worn it . Had it been otherwise , Aunt Caroline would probably not have been allowed to give it away . Carry had thanked Aunt Caroline sincerely . If she did not care much for the silk , she at least prized the kindly motive behind the gift . Perhaps she and Patty laughed a little over it as they packed it away in the garret . It was so very ugly , but Carry thought it was sweet of Aunt Caroline to have given her something . Poor old Aunt Caroline had died soon after , and Carry had not thought about the silk dress again . She had too many other things to think of , this poor worried Carry . After breakfast Carry began to rip the skirt breadths apart . Snip , snip , went her scissors , while her thoughts roamed far afield -- now looking forward with renewed pleasure to Christine 's wedding , now dwelling dolefully on the mortgage . Patty , who was washing the dishes , knew just what her thoughts were by the light and shadow on her expressive face . `` Why ! -- what ? '' exclaimed Carry suddenly . Patty wheeled about to see Carry staring at the silk dress like one bewitched . Between the silk and the lining which she had just ripped apart was a twenty-dollar bill , and beside it a sheet of letter paper covered with writing in a cramped angular hand , both secured very carefully to the silk . `` Carry Lea ! '' gasped Patty . With trembling fingers Carry snipped away the stitches that held the letter , and read it aloud .
`` My dear XXXXX , '' it ran , `` I do not know when you will find this letter and this money , but when you do it belongs to you .
Caroline Christine Edward Lea Patty breadths dress duty garret mortgage