have no conveniences whatever. I am quite sure that the country air
would have been much better for both you and the children."

"I could not think about conveniences for myself, when my husband died,
and I had to leave the parsonage, Mr. Schaller," replied the lady,
with a faint smile. "The country air would naturally have been much
better for my children, especially for my older boy. But he had to
come to town on account of school, and I could not possibly have sent
him away from me, delicate as he is. Besides----"

"There are boarding places in town where such boys are well taken care
of," the visitor interrupted. "What other reasons did you have?"

"My girls, too, are old enough to learn something which they can make
use of later on," continued the lady. "You know that this is necessary
and that it is very hard to get such opportunities in the country. I
hope I have persuaded you that coming to town with the children was
not a foolish undertaking. I am extremely glad that you have given me
an opportunity to explain why I did not follow your advice."

"What are your daughters going to learn?" the gentleman asked abruptly.

"Nika, the elder, paints quite well," replied the lady, "and Agnes has
a decided talent for music. If both girls are earnest in their studies,
they hope later on to be able to teach; indeed, they are very anxious
to do so."

"These arts do not bring good returns, even after years and years of
study," said the gentleman. "It would be much more sensible for the
sisters to busy themselves with dressmaking. They could quickly begin