“There are many reasons assigned for not paying,” continued Mrs. Morrison.  “Sometimes the children had not learned as much as the parents expected.  Some found it expedient to take their children away long before the expiration of the term, and then gazed at me in astonishment when I declared my right to demand pay for the whole time for which they engaged.  One lady, in particular, to whose daughter I was giving music lessons, withdrew the pupil under pretext of slight indisposition, and sent me the amount due for a half term.  I called upon her, and stated that I considered the engagement binding for twenty-four lessons, but would willingly wait until the young lady was quite recovered.  The mother appeared to assent with willingness to this arrangement, and took the proffered money without comment.  An hour or two after I received a laconic epistle stating that the lady had already engaged another teacher, whom she thought preferable—­that she had offered me the amount due for half of the term, and I had declined receiving it—­therefore she should not offer it again.  I wrote a polite, but very plain, reply to this note, and enclosed my bill for the whole term, but have never heard from her since.”

“Do you mean to say that she actually received the money which you returned to her without reluctance, and gave you no notice of her intention to employ another teacher?” demanded the old gentleman.

“Certainly; and, besides this, I afterwards ascertained that the young lady was actually receiving a lesson from another teacher, when I called at the house—­therefore the plea of indisposition was entirely false.  The most perfect satisfaction had always been expressed as to the progress of the pupil, and no cause was assigned for the change.”

“I hope you have met with few cases as bad as this,” remarked Uncle Joshua.  “The world must be in a worse state than even I had supposed, if such imposition is common.”

“This may be an extreme case,” replied Mrs. Morrison, “but I could relate many others which are little better.  However, you will soon weary of my experience in this way, Uncle Joshua, and I will therefore mention but one other instance.  One bitter cold day in January, I called at the house of a lady who had owed me a small amount for nearly a year, and after repeated delay had reluctantly fixed this day as the time when she would pay me at least a part of what was due.  I was told by the servant who opened the door that the lady was not at home.

“What time will she be in?” I inquired.

“Not for some hours,” was the reply.

Leaving word that I would call again towards evening, I retraced my steps, feeling much disappointed at my ill success, as I had felt quite sure of obtaining the money.  About five o’clock I again presented myself at the door, and was again informed that the lady was not at home.

“I will walk in, and wait for her return,” I replied.