His father had brought it home from China fifty years ago , and he prized it beyond anything . They used to say it was worth a lot of money . '' `` Mother , please leave me alone for a little while , '' said Rachel , imploringly . She had caught sight of a little note at the bottom of the basket , and she felt that she could not read it under her mother 's eyes . Mrs. Spencer went out with unaccustomed acquiescence , and Rachel went quickly to the window , where she read her letter by the fading gleams of twilight . It was very brief , and the writing was that of a man who holds a pen but seldom . `` My dear little girl , '' it ran , `` I 'm sorry I ca n't go to your wedding . It was like you to ask me -- for I know it was your doing . I wish I could see you married , but I ca n't go to the house I was turned out of . I hope you will be very happy . I am sending you the shells and teapot you liked so much . Do you remember that day we had such a good time ? I would liked to have seen you again before you were married , but it ca n't be . `` Your loving father , `` DAVID SPENCER . '' Rachel resolutely blinked away the tears that filled her eyes . A fierce desire for her father sprang up in her heart -- an insistent hunger that would not be denied . She MUST see her father ; she MUST have his blessing on her new life . A sudden determination took possession of her whole being -- a determination to sweep aside all conventionalities and objections as if they had not been . It was now almost dark . The guests would not be coming for half an hour yet .
It was only fifteen minutes ' walk over the hill XXXXX the Cove .
at before by for from in like on to worth