The Argosy — page 258: what you’re looking at

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

242 Edina. pound per week, fifty-two pounds a year; eight shillings out of it for rent was a formidable sum. It left but twelve shillings for all necés- saries ; and poor anxious Edina, who had all the care and responsi- bility on her own shoulders, and felt that she had it, did not see the future very clearly before her: but at present there was nothing to be done, save bow to circumstances. So here they were in Laurel Cottage, with a dull, dreary look-out of waste ground for a view, and some stunted trees overshadowing the gate. Alice had gone into a school as teacher. It was situated near Richmond, in Surry, and was chiefly for the reception of children whose parents were in India. She would have to stay during the holidays: but that was so much the better, as there was no place for her at home. Alfred ran on errands, and made a show of saying his lessons to his mother between whiles. Mrs. Raynor taught Kate and little Robert ; Edina did the work, for they were not waited on; Charles spent his time tramping about after a situation. To eke out the narrow income, Edina had tried to get some sewing, or other work, to do; she had fourd out a City house that dealt largely in ladies’ hair nets, and the house agreed to supply her with some to make. All their spare time she and Mrs. Raynor devoted to these nets; Charles carrying the parcels ‘backwards and forwards. But for those nets, they must certainly have been three parts starved. With the nets they were not much better. In some mysterious way, Edina had managed to provide them all with a change of clothing, to replace some that had been burnt. They never knew how she did it. Only Edina herself knew that. A few articles of plate that had been her father’s; a few ornaments of her own : these were turned into money. The light of the wintry afternoon was fading apace; the icicles outside were growing less clear to the eye. Little Robert, sitting on the floor, said at last that he could not see his picture-book. Mrs. Raynor, looking young still in her widow’s cap, let fall the net on her lap for a minute’s rest, and looked at the fire through her tears. Over and over again did these tears rise unbidden now. Edina, neat and nice-looking as ever, in her soft black dress, her brown hair smoothly braided on either side her attractive face—attractive in its intelligence, its goodness—caught sight of the tears from the low chair where she sat opposite. “‘ Take courage, Mary,” she gently said. ‘Things will take a turn sometime.” Mrs. Raynor caught up her work and a sob together. Katie, in a grumbling tone, said she was sure it must be tea-time. They had had only potatoes for dinner so the child was hungry. Edina rose, brought in a tray from the kitchen, which was on the same floor as the room they sat in, and began to put out the cups and saucers, “ What a time Alfred is!" cried the little girl. comicbooks.com