o say, which proved that the
earnest desire of all was that she should stay in Gourlay; but no one
was so happy as to suggest a way in which she could do so without
involving some measure of dependence on the kindness of friends; and
though this might do for a little while, it could not do long, and they
would have to go at last. Still she was in no haste to go, or very
eager to make plans for the future.

"The way will open before us! I am not afraid!" was the end of many an
anxious discussion during these days; and thought of sending David away
from her, gave her more real pain through them all than did the
consideration of what might befall them in the future; for David was
going away to be junior clerk in the bank of Singleton, at a salary
which seemed very large to him. It was more than a third of what his
father's salary had been when it was at the best. There would not be
much left for his mother and the rest by the time he had clothed and
kept himself; but it was a beginning, and David was glad to begin, Jem
would fain have done something, too, but his mother justly felt that the
next six months at school would be of greater value to him than all he
would be likely to earn, and he was to stay at home for the present.

But the mother did not have to send David away alone. The way, for
which she had so patiently and confidently waited, opened to them sooner
than she had dared to hope. It did not open very brightly. An
opportunity to let their house to one of the new railway people made her
think first of the possibility of getting away at once; and various
circumstances, which need not be told, induced her to look to the town
of Singleton as their future place of residence. David was to be there
for a year, at least, and they could all be together, and his salary
would do something toward keeping the house, and, in a place like
Singleton, there might be more chance for getting for herself and Violet
such employment as might suit them than they could have in Gourlay.

It was not without some doubts and fears that this arrangement was
decided upon; but there seemed nothing better to do, and delay would
make departure none the easier. But the doubts and fears came only now
and then--the faith in God was abiding; and if she was sorrowful in
those days, it was with a sorrow which rose from no distrust of Him who
had been her confidence all her life-long. She knew that help would
come when it was needed, and