“I have thought of that,” replied Edith.  “No, our only plain course, for the present, is to look away from Jasper, and regard Fanny as one of our own children.”

To this conclusion the mind of Claire and his wife came firmly.  Then the painful agitation they had for some time suffered gradually subsided, and they began earnestly to cast about for the ways and means whereby so large an extra draft as was likely to be made upon their slender income could be met.

Two propositions were made by Edith:  one was, that they should make a reduction in their expenses, by moving into a smaller house.  They now paid two hundred dollars annually for rent; and she was sure that, for one hundred and fifty, they might suit themselves very well.  The other proposition was, to give two or three hours every evening, after the children were in bed, to fine needle-work, in which she was well skilled.

“I could easily earn two dollars a week, in this way,” was her confident remark.

Claire, who had other plans in his mind, did not speak very encouragingly of these propositions, though he avoided disapproval.  Increased expense demanded an increase of income; and his thoughts were all now bent suggestively in that direction.  As for Edith, her burdens were heavy enough; and her husband, though he did not check her generous enthusiasm, by no means acquiesced in the plan of evening toil for his wife out of the range of her many domestic duties.

A few days went by, with no incident of importance.  Claire, during the time, appeared, to his wife more thoughtful that usual.  One evening he came home with a brighter countenance.

“Good news, Edie,” said he in a cheerful voice, as soon as the children’s glad and noisy welcome of their father was over; and he drew his wife aside as he spoke.

“Good news, dear,” he repeated.  “I was sure the way would open for us, and it has opened.”

“How, Edward?” asked Edith, with a quickly flushing face.  “How has it opened?”

“I’ve secured employment for my evenings, at six dollars a week.  So all will go on with us the same as usual.  The only drawback lies in the fact that you will have to remain at home alone.  But, for the sake of the end, you will bear that cheerfully.”

The light which had come into Edith’s countenance faded.

“What kind of employment?” she inquired, with a slight huskiness of voice.

“I’ve engaged to act as clerk in an auction store, where they have regular night-sales.”

Edith shook her head.

“I thought you would be so delighted,” said her husband, evidently much disappointed.

“You often come home, now, overwearied with the day’s labour,” replied Edith.

“An hour at tea-time will refresh me for the evening’s work.  Don’t think of that a moment, Edith.”

“How can I help thinking of it?  No, no, Edward, you must not do this.  It will destroy your health.  You are not very strong.”