the whole family accompany her, after their usual fashion of all keeping
together?"

"Because Rosie and Walter are down with the measles; much too ill to
travel."

"And you are going to Europe to enjoy yourself, while I must live here in
a New York tenement house occupied by the very dregs of society, and as
the wife of a drunkard, gambler, and rake; a man--or rather a brute--who
lives by his wits, abuses me like the pickpocket that he is, half starves
me, and expects me to do all the work, cooking, cleaning, and everything
else, even to washing and ironing of the few clothes he hasn't pawned; me!
a lady brought up to have servants to wait upon her at every turn!"

"O Virgie, Virgie! it can't be so bad as that!" cried her mother, clasping
her hands in an agony of distress, and gazing piteously at her, the hot
tears streaming down her face.

"I tell you it is that and worse! and all your fault, for you made the
match! you hurried me into it lest grandpa, uncle, or brothers should
interfere, find out that the man's morals were not good according to their
high standard, and prevent me from marrying him."

"You were in as great haste and as much opposed to their interference as
I, Virginia!" the mother retorted, drawing herself up in proud anger.

"Well, and what of that! you brought me up, and I was only following out
the teachings you have given me from my cradle. I tell you it was your
doing; but I must reap what you have sowed. I wish I was dead!" She flung
her book from her as she spoke, turned and paced the room, her hands