CHAPTER XIX. THE LETTER

lvisitor:unlesssicknessorcalamityshouldrenderherassistancereallyneedful,oruntilageorinfirmitymadeherincapableofmaintainingherself. “No,Mary,”saidshe,“ifRichardsonandyouhaveanythingtospare,youmustlayitasideforyourfamilyandAgnesandImustgatherhoneyforourselves.Thankstomyhavinghaddaughterstoeducate,Ihavenotforgottenmyaccomplishments.Godwilling,Iwillcheckthisvainrepining,”shesaid,whilethetearscoursedoneanotherdownhercheeksinspiteofhereffortsbutshewipedthemaway,andresolutelyshakingbackherhead,continued,“Iwillexertmyself,andlookoutforasmallhouse,commodiouslysituatedinsomepopulousbuthealthydistrict,wherewewilltakeafewyoungladiestoboardandeducate—ifwecangetthem—andasmanydaypupilsaswillcome,oraswecanmanagetoinstruct.Yourfather’srelationsandoldfriendswillbeabletosendussomepupils,ortoassistuswiththeirrecommendations,nodoubt:Ishallnotapplytomyown.Whatsayyoutoit,Agnes?willyoubewillingtoleaveyourpresentsituationandtry?” “Quitewilling,mammaandthemoneyIhavesavedwilldotofurnishthehouse.Itshallbetakenfromthebankdirectly.” “Whenitiswanted:wemustgettheho