Elsie Melville found the second day in ----- Street better than the
first.  An early walk with Jane restored her to her equilibrium, and she
sat down to write in her own room with more rapidity than before; while
Jane went out and made inquiries at registry offices, or anywhere else
that was likely to lead to employment; but day after day passed without
success.  Rather than do nothing, she assisted Peggy in the lighter
parts of her work, made clothes for the children, and helped them with
their lessons in the evening.  Peggy was astonished at the progress
which they all made with such assistance, and particularly delighted
with the great influence Jane had over Tom.  As she grew
accustomed to the ways of the house, she learned to endure the noise
patiently, and she found these five young Lowries really interesting
and remarkably intelligent.  Tom especially was eager for knowledge, and
his trade, which he entered into with all his heart, was calling out
all his abilities and all his ambition.  There were many things that he
had difficulty in getting information about, for he was but a young
apprentice, and the journeymen and older apprentices wanted him to wait
on them rather than to learn the business.  But he was not to be kept
back in that way; he was determined to find things out for himself, and
in every difficulty he found help and sympathy from Jane Melville.  Her
out-of-the-way knowledge made her a most useful auxiliary, and she
rejoiced that there was one person in the world that she could assist
with it.  She did not forget Peggy’s wish about the quick writing, and
taught those peasant children to express themselves fluently on paper. 
Their manners were improved under her influence, and what was
still uncouth or clumsy she learned to bear with.

Another resource to lighten the weight of anxiety and disappointment was found in Peggy’s extraordinary gift in finding out distressed people, which even in her new residence, did not desert her.  Jane, who had been accustomed to put her hand in her purse for the benefit of Peggy’s proteges, felt at first very grieved that she had nothing to give, but she learned that a great deal of good can be done with very little money, and satisfied herself by giving sympathy, personal services, and advice.  It was astonishing what good advice she gave to other people for bettering their prospects, while she seemed quite unable to do anything for herself.  But so long as Elsie was busy and hopeful with her poems, Jane could not bear to leave her; if they failed, they must try what they could do separately.  In the meantime, she was more disposed to try classes than anything else, for her experience with the Lowries proved to her that she could teach clever children, at any rate, with success; but as she could not get the promise of any pupils of the rank and circumstances that could make them pay, she hesitated about incurring any risk.