CHAPTER XIX. THE LETTER

Myfather’smortalremainshadbeenconsignedtothetombandwe,withsadfacesandsombregarments,satlingeringoverthefrugalbreakfast-table,revolvingplansforourfuturelife.Mymother’sstrongmindhadnotgivenwaybeneatheventhisaffliction:herspirit,thoughcrushed,wasnotbroken.Mary’swishwasthatIshouldgobacktoHortonLodge,andthatourmothershouldcomeandlivewithherandMr.Richardsonatthevicarage:sheaffirmedthathewisheditnolessthanherself,andthatsuchanarrangementcouldnotfailtobenefitallpartiesformymother’ssocietyandexperiencewouldbeofinestimablevaluetothem,andtheywoulddoalltheycouldtomakeherhappy.Butnoargumentsorentreatiescouldprevail:mymotherwasdeterminednottogo.Notthatshequestioned,foramoment,thekindwishesandintentionsofherdaughterbutsheaffirmedthatsolongasGodsparedherhealthandstrength,shewouldmakeuseofthemtoearnherownlivelihood,andbechargeabletonoonewhetherherdependencewouldbefeltasaburdenornot.Ifshecouldaffordtoresideasalodgerin——vicarage,shewouldchoosethathousebeforeallothersastheplaceofherabodebutnotbeingsocircumstanced,shewouldnevercomeunderitsroof,exceptasanoccasiona