The pale cheek of Mrs. Mayberry grew paler at this proposition.  She half-sobbed, caught her breath, and looked her adviser with a strange bewildered stare in the face.

“Oh, no!  I cannot do that!  I cannot be separated from my dear little children.  Who will care for them like a mother?”

“It is hard, I know, Mrs. Mayberry.  But necessity is a stern ruler.  You cannot keep them with you—­that is certain.  You have not the strength to provide them with even the coarsest food.  In an asylum, with a kind matron, they will be better off than under any other circumstances.”

But Mrs. Mayberry shook her head.

“No—­no—­no,” she replied—­“I cannot think of such a thing.  I cannot be separated from them.  I shall soon be able to work again—­better able than before.”

The neighbor who felt deeply for her, did not urge the matter.  When Hiram returned at dinner-time, his face had in it a more animated expression than usual.

“Mother,” he said, as soon as he came in, “I heard to-day that a boy was wanted at the Gazette office, who could write a good hand.  The wages are to be four dollars a week.”

“You did!” Mrs. Mayberry said, quickly, her weak frame trembling, although she struggled hard to be composed.

“Yes.  And Mr. Easy is well acquainted with the publisher, and could get me the place, I am sure.”

“Then go and see him at once, Hiram.  If you can secure it, all will be well; if not, your little brothers and sisters will have to be separated, perhaps sent into an orphan asylum.”

Mrs. Mayberry covered her face with her hands, and sobbed bitterly for some moments.

Hiram eat his frugal meal quickly, and returned to the store, where he had to remain until his employer went home and dined.  On his return, he asked liberty to be absent for half an hour, which was granted.  He then went direct to the counting-house of Mr. Easy, and disturbed him, as has been seen.  Approaching with a timid step, and a flushed brow, he said in a confused and hurried manner—­

“Mr. Easy, there is a lad wanted at the Gazette Office.”

“Well?” returned Mr. Easy, in no very cordial tone.

“Mother thought you would be kind enough to speak to Mr. G—­for me.”

“Haven’t you a place in a store?”

“Yes, sir.  But I don’t get any wages.  And at the Gazette office they will pay four dollars a week.”

“But the knowledge of business to be gained where you are, will be worth a great deal more than four dollars a week.”

“I know that, sir.  But mother is not able to board and clothe me.  I must earn something.”

“Oh, aye, that’s it.  Very well, I’ll see about it for you.”

“When shall I call, sir?” asked Hiram.

“When?  Oh, almost any time.  Say to-morrow or next day.”

The lad departed, and Mr. Easy’s head fell back upon the chair, the impression which had been made upon his mind passing away almost as quickly as writing upon water.