The Argosy — page 115: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Edina. 103 ing them a day to mourn and grieve, she begged them to listen to her ideas for the future. She had been thinking a great deal, but could only hit upon one plan that seemed at all feasible. It was, that Mrs. . Raynor and Alice should establish a school. Alice, a well-educated girl, good musician, and otherwise accomplished, would be of valuable aid Three weeks ago, they would—Alice, at any rate—have turned from the proposition with indignation. But those three weeks had been working their natural effect ; and neither Mrs. Raynor nor Alice spoke a dissenting syllable. They had begun to realize the bitter fact that they must work to live. The world lay before and around them: a cold, cruel, and indifferent world, as it now seemed to them; and they had not a shelter in it. To keep a ladies’ school would be less objec- tionable than some things, and certainly preferable to starving. Setting up a shop, for instance, or taking to a boarding-house. It was Edina who thought of these unpleasant resources, and Alice did not thank her for it. Poor Alice had lessons to lear yet. It is true that Alice might go out as a governess, but that would not be keeping Mrs. Ray- nor and the young ones. “T see only one objection to this school plan of yours, Edina,” spoke poor Mrs. Raynor, who was the first to break the silence which had ensued, as Edina’s voice ceased ; while Alice sat with downcast eyes, wet eyelashes, and an aching heart. “‘ And that is, that I do not know how it is to be accomplished. We have no money and no furniture, It would be easy enough to take a house in some favourable situation, as you suggest ; but how is it to be furnished ?” Edina did not immediately answer. Perhaps the problem was rather too much for herself. She sat in thought ; her steadfast eyes gazing out with a far-away look over the beautiful landscape, that they were so soon to lose. “Mr. Atkinson intimates that we are at liberty to remove any furni- tare, or other articles, we may have bought for Eagles’ Nest, that he only wishes it left as it was left by Mrs. Atkinson,” continued Mrs. Raynor : who, in these last few days of trouble seemed to have gone entirely back to the meek-spirited, humble-minded woman she used to be, with not a wish of her own, and thoroughly incapable. “But, Edina, the pieces of furniture would be too large, too grand for the kind of house we must have now, and therefore I am afraid useless. Besides, we shall have to sell these things with the carriages, and that, to pay outstand- ing debts here that must be paid: the servants’ wages, our new mourn- ing, and the like.” “True,” replied Edina, somewhat absently. “ Perhaps we could hire some articles: chairs and tables, and forms for the girls to sit on, and beds?” suggested Mrs. Raynor. (Sometimes farniture is let with ahouse. Edina, are you listening?” ) >! Ic comicbooks.com