If she obtained it, the widow would have been compelled to sign an agreement for the girl to remain at school for at least three years.

But the widow was practically starving, although working fourteen hours daily.

Verily, the conflict of duties forms the tragedy of everyday life.

The widow was saved by the advanced French; poor mother and poor girl! By and by the girl was comforted as we held the prospective of a bright future before her, and got her to talk of her studies; she recited for us a scene from AS YOU LIKE IT, and also Portia's speech, "The quality of mercy is not strained." Standing near was a boy of not more than ten years, who looked as if he would like to recite for us, and I asked him what standard he was in.
"The sixth, sir." "And do you like English Literature ?" He did not answer the question exactly, but said, "I know the 'Deserted Village,' by Oliver Goldsmith." "Where was the 'Deserted Village' ?" "Sweet Auburn was supposed to be in Ireland, but it is thought that some of the scenes are taken from English villages." "Can you give us the 'Village Schoolmaster' ?" And he did, with point and emphasis.

"Now for the 'Village Parson.'" His memory did not fail or trip, and the widow sat there machining; so we turned to her for more information, and found that she was a Leicester woman, and her parents Scots; she had been a boot machinist from her youth.
Her husband was a "clicker" from Stafford; he had been dead eight years.
She was left with four children.