This was said in a tone of great despondency.
"Upon what shall we decide, mother ?" and the young lady raised her head from its reclining position, and looked earnestly into the eyes of her parent.
"We must decide to do something by which the family can be sustained.
Your father's death has left us, unfortunately and unexpectedly, as you already know, with scarcely a thousand dollars beyond the furniture of this house, instead of an independence which we supposed him to possess.

His death was sad and afflictive enough--more than it seemed I could bear.

But to have this added!" The voice of the speaker sank into a low moan, and was lost in a stifled sob.
"But what _can_ we do, mother ?" asked Edith, in an earnest tone, after pausing long enough for her mother to regain the control of her feelings.
"I have thought of but one thing that is at all respectable," replied the mother.
"What is that ?" "Taking boarders." "Why, mother!" ejaculated Edith, evincing great surprise, "how can you think of such a thing ?" "Because driven to do so by the force of circumstances." "Taking boarders! Keeping a boarding-house! Surely we have not come to this!" An expression of distress blended with the look of astonishment in Edith's face.
"There is nothing disgraceful in keeping a boarding-house," returned the mother.

"A great many very respectable ladies have been compelled to resort to it as a means of supporting their families." "But to think of it, mother! To think of _your_ keeping a boarding-house! I cannot bear it." "Is there any thing else that can be done, Edith ?" "Don't ask _me_ such a question." "If, then, you cannot think for me, you must try and think with me, my child.

Something will have to be done to create an income.