scort, the soldiers
marching to the mournful strains of the funeral dirge and muffled
drums; the corpse was lowered to its last resting-place; the burial
service read with a trembling voice by the chaplain,--for the
missionary had taken his place among the mourners by the side of the
widow,--the usual salute was fired, and the procession retraced its
steps.

Mrs. Jones felt that she was now bereaved indeed, and almost alone in
the world, and it became a question with her what she could do, under
the circumstances, for herself and family. Disconsolately she
discussed this matter with Tom.

"I cannot remain longer in these apartments, living on the hospitality
of the general," said she; "and as your dear father is gone, it
becomes me to earn something for my own support. I must have Robert
with me, he is so young, and make some humble home where you can be
with us as much as possible. But what I can do to effect this I cannot
now see, there are so few opportunities for women to earn."

It goaded Tom that his mother was under the necessity of talking in so
depressed a way, and that he could do nothing suitably to provide for
her. At this juncture there was a gentle knock at the door, and Mrs.
McElroy entered.

"You will excuse me if I have intruded," said she; "but I came in to
ask what arrangements, if any, you had made for the future, and to say
that, if you have nothing better in view, the general and myself would
like to have you remain with us."

"But I have already been dependent on your hospitality too long,"
objected Mrs. Jones, "and it seems proper that I should make a home
for myself and Robert as soon as possible."

"Have you any suitable place provided as yet?" asked Mrs. McElroy.

"Not decisively," answered the widow.

"It could not be expected that you would so soon," answered Mrs.
McElroy. "Now we have a plan for you, which may be to our mutual
advantage. The little community dwelling within these brick walls is a
very social one, and the general's time and my own is so much
occupied, that my children suffer for a mother's care. You are exactly
the person we need to take the oversight of them. Your own children
are a credit to you; they show that you have just the qualities of
mind and heart for such a position. Now, if you will look a little
after my children's training, you will take a burden from my hands,
and a load of anxiety from my mind, and between us both, I think we
can manage so as not