"No, ma'am; only long enough to educate myself, so that I could
teach."

"You could not obtain a suitable education in that way, and beside,
I do not think that the factory you spoke of would be an agreeable
place for you. I have made some inquiries about it since you came
here."

"I know it will not be pleasant, but then I am obliged to work in
some way, and I don't see what else I can do. I am not able to pay
for an education now, and I am determined to have one."

Mrs. Murray's eyes wandered out toward the velvety lawn, and she
mused for some minutes; then laying her hands on the orphan's head,
she said:

"Child, will you trust your future and your education to me? I do
not mean that I will teach you--oh! no--but I will have you
thoroughly educated, so that when you are grown you can support
yourself by teaching. I have no daughter--I lost mine when she was a
babe; but I could not have seen her enter a factory, and as you
remind me of my own child, I will not allow you to go there. I will
take care of and educate you--will see that you have everything you
require, if you are willing to be directed and advised by me
Understand me, I do not adopt you; nor shall I consider you exactly
as one of my family; but I shall prove a good friend and protector
till you are eighteen, and capable of providing for yourself. You
will live in my house and look upon it as your home, at least for
the present. What do you say to this plan? Is it not much better and