“Potter’s bill, I have no doubt,” said the mother, quietly.  “Other troubles come and go, but there is always Potter’s bill in the background.  And every little while it crops up and gets into the front.”

“What is Potter’s bill, dear mamma, and how do we come to owe it?”

“I can’t fully explain to you, my child, how it comes to be so large.  When Mr. Potter’s father was living and carrying on the business, he used to say to your father:  ’Just get all you want here, doctor; never give yourself a thought; pay when you can and what you can.  We come to you for medical advice and remedies, and we’ll strike a balance somehow.’  The Potters have during years had very little occasion for a doctor’s services, and we, with this great family, have had to have groceries, shoes, and every other thing, and Potter’s bill has kept rolling up like a great snowball, bit by bit.  We pay something now and then.  I sold my old sideboard that came to me from my grandparents, and paid a hundred dollars on it six months ago.  Old Mr. Potter died.  Rufus reigns in his stead, as the Bible says, and he wants to collect his money.  I do not blame him, Grace, but he torments poor papa.  There are two hundred dollars due now, and papa has been trying to get money due him, and to pay Rufus fifty dollars, but he’s afraid he can’t raise the money.”

Grace reflected.  Then she asked a question.  “Dear mamma, don’t think me prying, but is Potter’s the only pressing obligation on papa just now?”

Mrs. Wainwright hesitated.  Then she answered, a little slowly, “No, Grace, there are other accounts; but Potter’s is the largest.”

“I ask, because I can help my father,” said Grace, modestly.  “Uncle Ralph deposited five hundred dollars to my credit in a New York bank on my birthday.  The money is mine, to do with absolutely as I please.  I have nearly fifty dollars in my trunk.  Uncle and auntie have always given me money lavishly.  Papa can settle Potter’s account to-morrow.  I’m only too thankful I have the money.  To think that money can do so much toward making people happy or making them miserable!  Then, mother dear, we’ll go into papa’s accounts and see how near I can come to relieving the present state of affairs; and if papa will consent, we’ll collect his bills, and then later, I’ve another scheme—­that is a fine, sweet-toned piano in the parlor.  I mean to give lessons.”

“Grace, it was an extravagance in our circumstances to get that piano, but the girls were so tired of the old one; it was worn out, a tin pan, and this is to be paid for on easy terms, so much a month.”

Grace hated to have her mother to apologize in this way.  She hastened to say, “I’m glad it’s here, and don’t think me conceited, but I’ve had the best instruction uncle could secure for me here, and a short course in Berlin, and now I mean to make it of some use.  I believe I can get pupils.”

“Not many in Highland, I fear, Grace.”