A mysterious business and a sad one . '' `` Tell me about it . I like sad stories , and I already feel as if I belonged to the family , a loyal retainer as in the old times . While you dust the books and I rub the mold off this old cover , tell me the tale , please , Mrs. Hester . '' She shook her head , but yielded to the persuasive look and tone of the boy , telling the story more fully than she intended , for she loved talking and had come to regard Paul as her own , almost . `` And the letter ? What was in it ? '' asked the boy , as she paused at the catastrophe . `` No one ever knew but my lady . '' `` She destroyed it , then ? '' `` I thought so , till a long time afterward , one of the lawyers came pestering me with questions , and made me ask her . She was ill at the time , but answered with a look I shall never forget , ` No , it 's not burnt , but no one shall ever see it . ' I dared ask no more , but I fancy she has it safe somewhere and if it 's ever needed she 'll bring it out . It was only some private matters , I fancy . '' `` And the stranger ? '' `` Oh , he vanished as oddly as he came , and has never been found . A strange story , lad . Keep silent , and let it rest . '' `` No fear of my tattling , '' and the boy smiled curiously to himself as he bent over the book , polishing the brassbound cover . `` What are you doing with that pretty white wax ? ''
asked Lillian the next day , as she came upon XXXXX in a quiet corner of the garden and found him absorbed in some mysterious occupation .
Hester Paul books family fear mold one retainer story tone