After the death of Mr. Darlington, he visited his sister much more frequently than before.  Of the exact condition of her affairs, he was much better acquainted than she supposed.  The anxiety which she felt, some months after her husband’s death, when the result of the settlement of his estate became known, led her to be rather more communicative.  After determining to open a boarding-house, she said to him, on the occasion of his visiting her one evening—­

“As it is necessary for me to do something, Hiram, I have concluded to move to a better location, and take a few boarders.”

“Don’t do any such thing, Margaret,” her brother made answer.  “Taking boarders!  It’s the last thing of which a woman should think.”

“Why do you say that, Hiram?” asked Mrs. Darlington, evincing no little surprise at this unexpected reply.

“Because I think that a woman who has a living to make can hardly try a more doubtful experiment.  Not one in ten ever succeeds in doing anything.”

“But why, Hiram?  Why?  I’m sure a great many ladies get a living in that way.”

“What you will never do, Margaret, mark my words for it.  It takes a woman of shrewdness, caution, and knowledge of the world, and one thoroughly versed in household economy, to get along in this pursuit.  Even if you possessed all these prerequisites to success, you have just the family that ought not to come in contact with anybody and everybody that find their way into boarding-houses.”

“I must do something, Hiram,” said Mrs. Darlington, evincing impatience at the opposition of her brother.

“I perfectly agree with you in that, Margaret,” replied Mr. Ellis.  “The only doubt is as to your choice of occupation.  You think that your best plan will be to take boarders; while I think you could not fail upon a worse expedient.”

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“Why do you think so?”

“Have I not just said?”

“What?”

“Why, that, in the first place, it takes a woman of great shrewdness, caution, and knowledge of the world, and one thoroughly versed in household economy, to succeed in the business.”

“I’m not a fool, Hiram!” exclaimed Mrs. Darlington, losing her self-command.

“Perhaps you may alter your opinion on that head some time within the next twelve months,” coolly returned Mr. Ellis, rising and beginning to button up his coat.

“Such language to me, at this time, is cruel!” said Mrs. Darlington, putting her handkerchief to her eyes.

“No,” calmly replied her brother, “not cruel, but kind.  I wish to save you from trouble.”

“What else can I do?” asked the widow, removing the handkerchief from her face.

“Many things, I was going to say,” returned Mr. Ellis.  “But, in truth, the choice of employment is not very great.  Still, something with a fairer promise than taking boarders may be found.”

“If you can point me to some better way, brother,” said Mrs. Darlington, “I shall feel greatly indebted to you.”