"But, if mother has lost so much already, will she not lose still more if she continue to go on as she is now going ?" "She hopes to fill all her rooms; then she thinks that she will be able to make something." "This has been her hope from the first," replied Miriam.
"Yes; and thus far it has been a vain hope." "Three hundred dollars lost already," sighed Miriam, "our beautiful furniture ruined, and all domestic happiness destroyed! Ah me! Where is all going to end?
Uncle Hiram was right when he objected to mother's taking boarders, and said that it was the worst thing she could attempt to do.

I wish we had taken his advice.

Willingly would I give music lessons or work with my hands for an income, to save mother from the suffering and labour she has now to bear." "The worst is," said Edith, following out her own thoughts rather than replying to her sister, "now that all our money is gone, debt will follow.

How is the next quarter's rent to be paid ?" "A hundred aid fifty dollars ?" "Yes.

How can we pay that ?" "Oh dear!" sighed Miriam.