Mrs. Sheldon looked tired, and everyone found excuses to leave understandingly.
Ms Hughes and Charlotte Allison were still talking as they headed out the door, but Mrs. Sheldon suddenly called Charlotte Allison back.
Charlotte Allison had no choice but to return.
Only Mrs. Sheldon and Charlotte Allison remained in the room.
Mrs. Sheldon asked her to sit down and gazed intently at Charlotte Allison, as if searching for someone's shadow through her.
Charlotte Allison did not interrupt but waited for Mrs. Sheldon to speak.
"I'm sorry, child... staring at you like this, I just..." Mrs. Sheldon suddenly choked up a bit.
Charlotte Allison didn't understand but calmly handed over a tissue.
The old lady's uncontrolled emotions soon settled again.
She stroked the pipa gently lying in the box and said, "This pipa belonged to my husband's sister, who used it before she passed away. It later got lost. I deeply appreciate your returning it."
