"If, then, you cannot think for me, you must try and think with me, my
child. Something will have to be done to create an income. In less than
twelve months, every dollar I have will be expended; and then what are we
to do? Now, Edith, is the time for us to look at the matter earnestly, and
to determine the course we will take. There is no use to look away from it.
A good house in a central situation, large enough for the purpose, can no
doubt be obtained; and I think there will be no difficulty about our
getting boarders enough to fill it. The income, or profit, from these will
enable us still to live comfortably, and keep Edward and Ellen at school."

"It is hard," was the only remark Edith made to this.

"It is hard, my daughter; very hard! I have thought and thought about it
until my whole mind has been thrown into confusion. But it will not do to
think forever. There must be action. Can I see want stealing in upon my
children, and sit and fold my hands supinely? No! And to you, Edith, my
oldest child, I look for aid and for counsel. Stand up, bravely, by my
side."

"And you are in earnest in all this?" said Edith, whose mind seemed hardly
able to realize the truth of their position. From her earliest days, all
the blessings that money could procure had been freely scattered around her
feet. As she grew up, and advanced towards womanhood, she had moved in the
most fashionable circles, and there acquired the habit of estimating people
according to their wealth and social standing, rather than by qualities of
mind. In her view, it appeared degrading in a woman to enter upon any kind
of employment for money; and with the keeper of a boarding-house,
particularly, she had always associated something low, vulgar, and
ungenteel. At the thought of her mother's engaging in such an occupation,