The Argosy — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

The House of Halliwell. 25 “JT did not mention it; it appeared so impossible that we could avail ourselves of it. I was speaking of Alfred’s great disappointment at not being able to return to Oxford, and Mr. Halliwell -generously said that if there were a possibility of one-half being contributed towards his return, he would find the other half. So now, with some pinching at home, children,” she added to her daughters, ‘‘ Alfred may keep his terms.” ‘Oh, mamma, cried Hester, her face in a glow, “let us live upon bread-and-cheese, pinch in any way, so that Alfred may succeed. His heart is set upon being a clergyman.” “T think my favourite theory, my trust, my belief, better than yours, Rebecca,” said Mrs. Halliwell. “What is that?” “That God takes care of the widow and the orphan. See how merciful He has been to us! You would contend that their father’s risking his money must entail punishment on the children.” “I did not say they would be crushed by it,” rapidly responded Aunt Copp. ‘Never thought of such a thing: never would believe such a thing. God takes better care of us all than we deserve. I said that reckless acting of James’s would entail struggles and difficulties upon the children. And I knowit will do so. It mus¢# work out its ewn retribution.” “The first thing to be done is to look out for a small house,” resumed Mrs. Halliwell, leaving the subject. ‘‘We must quit this one.” ‘'There’s one at the Seaford end of the village that will just suit,” cried Aunt Copp. Seaford was a straggling parish, not very populous. People had fallen into the habit of calling only one end of the parish Seaford, and the other St. Jude’s, because the new church, St. Jude’s, was situated there. “How do you know there is?” asked Mrs. Halliwell. “Because I knew you must leave this, and have been keeping my eyes open. ‘The rent is twenty-five pounds, and it’s a nice genteel house, fit for a gentleman’s family whose means are limited. The back windows open on a lovely little lawn and flower beds, and there’s a serviceable kitchen garden beyond.” “IT think Aunt Copp must mean Seaford Cottage,” suggested Hester. “Seaford Cottage; that’s the very name. Won’t it do, Mrs. Halliwell ? ” “I really think it might,” answered Mrs. Halliwell. ‘‘I did not know it was to let.” ‘Ah ! what would you do without me?” cried Aunt Copp. “Ifyou take it, P’ll stay with you till I have moved you into it, for you’d never getin without me. You are all the greatest set of incapables at business —except, perhaps, Hester; and she has had no experience. And CoOnnicloookKs (©) im