At New Year’s, they owed three hundred dollars that they could not pay, beside the quarter’s rent.  They had to take it out of their little invested capital; they sold ten shares of railroad stock at a poor time; it brought them eight hundred and seventy-five dollars.  They bought their new stove, and some other things; they hired, at last, two girls for the winter, at three dollars and two and a half, respectively; this was a saving to what they had been doing, and they must get through the cold weather somehow.  Besides, Mrs. Argenter was now seriously out of health.  She had had nothing to do but to fall sick under her troubles, and she had honestly and effectually done it.

But how should they manage another year, and another?  How long would they have any income, if such a piece was to be taken out of the principal every six months?

In the spring, Mrs. Argenter declared it was of no use; they must give up and go to board.  They ought to have done it in the first place.  Plenty of people got along so with no more than they had.  A cheap place in the country for the summer would save up to pay for rooms in town for the winter.  She couldn’t bear another hot season in that village,—­nor a cold one, either.  A second winter would be just madness.  What could two women do, who had never had anything to provide before, with getting in coal, and wood, and vegetables, and everything, and snow to be shoveled, and ashes sifted, and fires to make, and girls going off every Monday morning?

She had just enough reason, as the case stood, for Sylvie not to be able to answer a word.  But the lease,—­for another year?  What should they do with that?  Would Mr. Frost take it off their hands?

If Sylvie had known who really stood behind Mr. Frost, and how!

The little poem of village living,—­of home simpleness and frugal prettiness,—­of that, the two first lines alone had rhymed!

They had entered upon the last quarter of their first year when they came to this united and definite conclusion.  That month of May was harsh and stormy.  Nothing could be done about moving until clearer and finer weather.  So the rent was continued, of course, until the year expired, and in June they would pack up and go away.

Sylvie had been to the doctor, first, and told him about her mother; and he had called, in a half-friendly, half-professional way, to see her.  After his call, he had had an honest talk with Sylvie.

God sometimes shows us a glimpse of a future trouble that He holds in his hand, to neutralize the trouble we are immediately under; even, it may be, to turn it into a quietness and content.  When Sylvie had heard all that Doctor Sainswell had to say, she put away her money anxiety from off her mind, at once and finally.  Nothing was any matter now, but that her mother should go where she would,—­have what she wanted.

Then she went to see Mr. Frost.