from trouble."

"What else can I do?" asked the widow, removing the handkerchief from her
face.

"Many things, I was going to say," returned Mr. Ellis. "But, in truth, the
choice of employment is not very great. Still, something with a fairer
promise than taking boarders may be found."

"If you can point me to some better way, brother," said Mrs. Darlington, "I
shall feel greatly indebted to you."

"Almost anything is better. Suppose you and Edith were to open a school.
Both of you are well--"

"Open a school!" exclaimed Mrs. Darlington, interrupting her brother, and
exhibiting most profound astonishment. "_I_ open a school! I didn't think
_you_ would take advantage of my grief and misfortune to offer me an
insult."

Mr. Ellis buttoned the top button of his coat nervously, as his sister said
this, and, partly turning himself towards the door, said--

"Teaching school is a far more useful, and, if you will, more respectable
employment, than keeping a boarding-house. This you ought to see at a
glance. As a teacher, you would be a minister of truth to the mind, and
have it in your power to bend from evil and lead to good the young
immortals committed to your care; while, as a boarding-house keeper, you
would merely furnish food for the natural body--a use below what you are
capable of rendering to society."