a business in which they might help each other and make some money.
This would really help both you and your son a great deal. If your boy
is going to study, it will be a long time before he can be independent."

The parson's widow looked sadly in front of her without saying a word.

"Please do not misunderstand me. I am only speaking in your and your
children's interest," the gentleman began again. "I am very sorry not
to have met your daughters, for they would soon have agreed with me,
if they had heard my reasons. Nowadays young people understand quite
well what it means to make one's way easily and advantageously. You
can be sure of that."

"My children may still be a little backward in this knowledge. They
may, through the influence of their parents, still care for the things
which you call the breadless arts," said the lady with a sigh. "But
I shall make my children acquainted with your ideas and I shall try
to speak to them according to your views, at least as far as I am
able."

"How old is the eldest? She ought to be old enough to understand my
reasons," remarked the gentleman.

"Nika is in her fourteenth year. Her education is, of course, still
incomplete in many ways," replied the lady. "Dino is twelve and Agnes
eleven years old. The latter must first of all complete her compulsory
school years."

"Still rather young people," said Mr. Schaller, shaking his head. "I
am sure of one thing, however. The longer their education will take,