The lady was, therefore, anxious to get it copied out, and had offered Miss Crisp a small sum for the service.

Mrs Cruden clutched eagerly at the opportunity thus presented.

The work was laborious and dreary in the extreme, for the story was long and insipid, and the wretched handwriting danced under her eyes till they ached and grew weak.

But she persevered boldly, and for three hours a day pored over her self-imposed task.

When Horace returned at evening no trace of it was to be seen, only the pale face and weary eyes of his mother, who yet was ready with a smile to read aloud as long as the boy wished, and pretend that she only enjoyed a labour which was really taxing her both in health and eyesight.
Reginald had written home once or twice since his departure, but none of his letters had contained much news.