I hope it may; anything rather than a life of teaching.

We shall be so glad to hear from you, if you still care to trouble about country girls.' And so on.

Marian read with a pleased smile, then acquainted her mother with the contents.
'I am very glad,' said Mrs Yule; 'it's so seldom you get a letter.' 'Yes.' Marian seemed desirous of saying something more, and her mother had a thoughtful look, suggestive of sympathetic curiosity.
'Is their brother likely to call here ?' Mrs Yule asked, with misgiving.
'No one has invited him to,' was the girl's quiet reply.
'He wouldn't come without that ?' 'It's not likely that he even knows the address.' 'Your father won't be seeing him, I suppose ?' 'By chance, perhaps.

I don't know.' It was very rare indeed for these two to touch upon any subject save those of everyday interest.

In spite of the affection between them, their exchange of confidence did not go very far; Mrs Yule, who had never exercised maternal authority since Marian's earliest childhood, claimed no maternal privileges, and Marian's natural reserve had been strengthened by her mother's respectful aloofness.