CHAPTER XVI.
UNCLE AND NIECE Mr.Bullsom was an early riser, and it chanced that, as was frequently the case, on the morning following Brooks' visit he and Mary sat down to breakfast together.

But when, after a cursory glance through his letters, he unfolded the paper, she stopped him.
"Uncle," she said, "I want to talk to you for a few minutes, if I may." "Go ahead," he answered.

"No fear of our being interrupted.

I shall speak to those girls seriously about getting up.

Now, what is it?
"I want to earn my own living, uncle," she said, quietly.
He looked over his spectacles at her.
"Eh ?" "I want to earn my own living," she repeated.