For a day or two everything went on as usual.  Mrs. Woodward did not again allude to her difficulties, Percy had conveniently forgotten them, and the younger children were not aware of their existence.  Winona lived with a black spot dancing before her mental eyes.  It was continually rising up and blotting out the sunshine.  On the fourth morning appeared a letter addressed in an old-fashioned slanting handwriting, and bearing the Seaton post mark.  Mrs. Woodward read it in silence, and left her toast unfinished.  Aunt Harriet’s communications generally upset her for the day.

“Come here, Winona,” she said agitatedly, after breakfast.  “Oh, dear, I wish I knew what to do!  It’s so very unexpected, but of course it would be a splendid thing for you.  If only I could consult somebody!  I suppose girls nowadays will have to learn to support themselves, and the war will alter everything, but I’d always meant you to stop at home and look after the little ones for me, and it’s very—­”

“What does Aunt Harriet say, mother?” interrupted Winona, with a catch in her throat.

“She says a great deal, and I dare say she’s right.  Oh, this terrible war!  Things were so different when I was a girl!  You might as well read the letter for yourself, as it concerns you.  I always think she’s hard on Percy, poor lad!  I was afraid the children were too noisy the last time she was here, but they wouldn’t keep quiet.  I’m sure I try to do my best all round, and you know, Winona, how I said Aunt Harriet—­”

But Winona was already devouring the letter.

“10 Abbey Close,

“Seaton,

“August 26th.

“My dear Florita,—­You are quite right to consult me in your difficulties, and are welcome to any advice which I am able to offer you.  I am sorry to hear of your financial embarrassments, but I am not surprised.  The present increase in the cost of living, and extra taxation, will make retrenchments necessary to everybody.  In the circumstances I should not advise you to leave Highfield. ("Oh, thank goodness!” ejaculated Winona.) The expense of a removal would probably cancel what you would otherwise save.  Neither should I recommend you to take Percy from Longworth College and send him daily to be coached by your parish curate.  From my knowledge of his character I consider the discipline of a public school to be indispensable if he is to grow into worthy manhood, and sooner than allow the wholesome restraint of his house master to be removed at this critical portion of his life, I will myself defray half the cost of his maintenance for the next two years.

“Now as regards Winona.  I believe she has ability, and it is high time to begin to think seriously what you mean to do with her.  In the future women will have to depend upon themselves, and I consider that all girls should be trained to gain their own living.  The foundation of every career is a good