with Rachel) that chained girls to an unhealthy occupation in their
early childhood, and made an overstocked market and underpaid
workers--holding Fanny fast to listen by a sort of fascination in her
overpowering earnestness, and great fixed eyes, which, when once
their grasp was taken, would not release the victim; and this was a
matter of daily occurrence on which Rachel felt keenly and spoke
strongly.

"It is very sad. If you want to help the poor things, I will give
anything I can."

"Oh, yes, thank you, but it is doleful merely to help them to linger
out the remnant of a life consumed upon these cobwebs of vanity. It
is the fountainhead that must be reached--the root of the system!"

Fanny saw, or rather felt, a boy making signs at the window, but
durst not withdraw her eyes from the fascination of those eager ones.
"Lace and lacemakers are facts," continued Rachel; "but if the
middle men were exploded, and the excess of workers drafted off by
some wholesome outlet, the price would rise, so that the remainder
would be at leisure to fulfil the domestic offices of womanhood."

There was a great uproar above.

"I beg your pardon, dear Rachel," and away went Fanny.

"I do declare," cried Rachel, when Grace, having despatched her home-
cares, entered the room a quarter of an hour after; "poor Fanny's a
perfect slave. One can't get in a word edgeways."