Perhaps that was the argument that induced him, after obstinate years, to remove his veto from my mother's petitions and let her take up lessons again.

For while piety was my grandfather's chief concern on the godly side, on the worldly side he set success in business above everything.
My mother was fifteen years old when she entered on a career of higher education.

For two hours daily she was released from the store, and in that interval she strove with might and main to conquer the world of knowledge.

Katrina Petrovna, her teacher, praised and encouraged her; and there was no reason why the promising pupil should not have developed into a young lady of culture, with Madame teaching Russian, German, crocheting, and singing--yes, out of a book, to the accompaniment of a clavier--all for a fee of seventy-five kopecks a week.
[Illustration: THE WOOD MARKET, POLOTZK] Did I say there was no reason?
And what about the marriage broker?
Hannah Hayye, the only daughter of Raphael the Russian, going on sixteen, buxom, bright, capable, and well educated, could not escape the eye of the shadchan.

A fine thing it would be to let such a likely girl grow old over a book! To the canopy with her, while she could fetch the highest price in the marriage market! My mother was very unwilling to think of marriage at this time.