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 "Well, time will show what's best. Shall Peter unlock that trunk?"

Mr. Smith did not wish to break into anybody's confidence; yet, since she had spoken of a box destined for the mislaid "Uncle Joe," he felt that he would be justified in examining, at least, the outside of it.

Josephine went away with the old colored man, but did not tarry long. The tin box was very near the top of the trunk, and she was in haste to give it to her patient, to whom she explained:

"I know what's in it. Nothing but some California flowers. Mamma said that you would like them, even if they faded a little. But she hoped they wouldn't fade. The box is tight, like the big one she and papa take when they go botanizing. Mamma is making a collection of all the flowers she can and putting them in a big, big book. She knows their names and all about them. Mamma knows—everything."

"I begin to think so, too, little girl. I never before heard of so much virtue and wisdom