“Child, will you trust your future and your education to me?  I do not mean that I will teach you—­oh! no—­but I will have you thoroughly educated, so that when you are grown you can support yourself by teaching.  I have no daughter—­I lost mine when she was a babe; but I could not have seen her enter a factory, and as you remind me of my own child, I will not allow you to go there.  I will take care of and educate you—­will see that you have everything you require, if you are willing to be directed and advised by me Understand me, I do not adopt you; nor shall I consider you exactly as one of my family; but I shall prove a good friend and protector till you are eighteen, and capable of providing for yourself.  You will live in my house and look upon it as your home, at least for the present.  What do you say to this plan?  Is it not much better and more pleasant than a wild-goose chase after an education through the dust and din of a factory?”

“Oh, Mrs. Murray!  You are very generous and good, but I have no claim on you—­no right to impose such expense and trouble upon you.  I am—­”

“Hush, child! you have that claim which poverty always has on wealth.  As for the expense, that is a mere trifle, and I do not expect you to give me any trouble; perhaps you may even make yourself useful to me.”

“Thank you! oh! thank you, ma’am!  I am very grateful!  I can not tell you how much I thank you; but I shall try to prove it, if you will let me stay here—­on one condition.”

“What is that?”

“That when I am able to pay you, you will receive the money that my education and clothes will cost you.”

Mrs. Murray laughed, and stroked the silky black hair.

“Where did you get such proud notions?  Pay me, indeed!  You poor little beggar!  Ha! ha! ha!  Well, yes, you may do as you please, when you are able; that time is rather too distant to be considered now.  Meanwhile, quit grieving over the past, and think only of improving yourself.  I do not like doleful faces, and shall expect you to be a cheerful, contented, and obedient girl.  Hagar is making you an entire set of new clothes, and I hope to see you always neat.  I shall give you a smaller room than this—­the one across the hall; you will keep your books there, and remain there during study hours.  At other times you can come to my room, or amuse yourself as you like; and when there is company here, remember, I shall always expect you to sit quietly, and listen to the conversation, as it is very improving to young girls to be in really good society.  You will have a music teacher, and practice on the upright piano in the library, instead of the large one in the parlor.  One thing more, if you want anything, come to me, and ask for it, and I shall be very much displeased if you talk to the servants, or encourage them to talk to you.  Now, everything is understood, and I hope you will be happy, and properly improve the advantages I shall give you.”