As the artist was unusually prudent, and no genius, by which I mean he
painted pictures which the public could understand, and therefore did
buy, he left a snug little sum to his son. This the young man decided to
invest in Chicago, and chose architecture for a profession, two wise
moves, as subsequent events proved. As for his uncle and aunt, they had
no settled home, but followed wherever science beckoned, and a wild
dance she sometimes led the two, as the poor little madame often
thought.

But this winter certain proof-sheets anchored them in Boston; hence
Robert's intense desire that Sara should make haste to settle under his
aunt's protection, before some new flitting should put too great a
distance between them. This devoted aunt was ready to make any sacrifice
for her dear boy, but not so ready to see him make one; often a much
harder thing for a loving heart.

The madame, being of Huguenot ancestry, and as sturdy a Protestant as
ever lived, could have suffered martyrdom, like her grandfather of
blessed memory, for the faith that was in her; but to see her boy suffer
perhaps a ruined life because of one mistake in early manhood, terrified
her, and she was now often sorry she had let her artistic admiration for
that unusually fine head in the cottage doorway lead her to such lengths
the summer before.

Sara as a pet and _protegee_ was one thing; Sara as her nephew's
wife quite, quite another!

But in her varied life she had learned the two wisest lessons God ever
sets his children,--those of waiting and trusting. So, after a half-
hour's silent meditation now, she resumed her work with a more cheerful