What's the need of Ellen going to work right away?
Maybe by-and-by she can get an easy school.

Then, we've got that money in the bank." Andrew looked away from her with his face set.

Fanny did not know yet about his withdrawal of the money for the purpose of investing in mining-stocks.

He never looked at her but the guilty secret seemed to force itself between them like a wedge of ice.
"Then Grandma Brewster has got a little something," said Fanny.
"Only just enough for herself," said Andrew.

Then he added, fiercely, "Mother can't be stinted of her little comforts even for Ellen." "I 'ain't never wanted to stint your mother of her comforts," Fanny retorted, angrily.
"She 'ain't got but a precious little, unless she spends her principal," said Andrew.