in this section, dickinson is describing the emotions in the room where the person was last in. wrung them dry meaning the tears have stopped but there was a lot. the breaths were gathering holding breathe after hyperventilating, etc.

in this line, dickinson is thinnking about her work( keepsakes) and how after she's gone they'll be signed away or split up from each of the other works but also it will hold as much weight to it as she thinks her work deserves.