Mr. Sherwood was forty-five years old, an age at which it is
difficult for a man to take up a new trade, or to obtain new
employment at his old one.

Chapter III
"FISHING"

Nan told of Bess Harley's desire to have her chum accompany her
to Lakeview Hall the following autumn, as a good joke.

"I hope I'll be in some good situation by that time," she said to
her mother, confidentially, "helping, at least, to support myself
instead of being a burden upon father and you."

"It's very unselfish of you to propose that, honey," replied her
mother. "But, perhaps, such a sacrifice as the curtailment of
your education will not be required of you."

"But, my DEAR!" gasped Nan. "I couldn't go to Lakeview Hall. It
would cost, why! a pile!"

"I don't know how much a pile is, translated into coin of the
realm, honey," responded Mrs. Sherwood with her low, sweet laugh.
"But the only thing we can give our dear daughter, your father
and I, is an education. That you MUST have to enable you to
support yourself properly when your father can do no more for
you."

"But I s'pose I've already had as much education as most girls in
Tillbury get. So many of them go into the mills and factories at