n!" Mr. Touchett looked up half incredulous at the girlish contour
of the gentle face, then cast down his eyes as if afraid he had been
rude. "Seven! It is--it is a great charge."

"Yes, indeed it is," she said earnestly; "and I am sure you will be kind
enough to give your influence to help me with them--poor boys."

"Oh! oh!" he exclaimed, "anything I can do--" in such a transport of
eager helpfulness that Rachel coldly said, "We are all anxious to assist
in the care of the children." He coloured up, and with a sort of effort
at self-assertion, blurted out, "As the clergyman of the parish--," and
there halted, and was beginning to look foolish, when Lady Temple took
him up in her soft, persuasive way. "Of course we shall look to you so
much, and you will be so kind as to let me know if there is any one I
can send any broth to at anytime."

"Thank you; you are very good;" and he was quite himself again. "I shall
have the pleasure of sending you down a few names."

"I never did approve the broken victual system," began Rachel, "it
creates dependence."

"Come here, Hubert," said Fanny, beckoning a boy she saw at a distance,
"come and shake hands with Mr. Touchett." It was from instinct rather
than reason; there was a fencing between Rachel and the curate that
made her uncomfortable, and led her to break it off by any means in her
power; and though Mr. Touchett was not much at his ease with the little
boy, this discussion was staged off. But again Mr. Touchett made bold to
say that in case Lady Temple wished for a daily governess, he knew of a
very desirable young person, a most admirable pair of sisters, who had
met with great reverses, but Rachel snapped him off shorter than ever.
"We can decide nothing yet; I have made up my mind to teach the little
boys at present."

"Oh, indeed!"

"It is very kind," said the perplexed Lady Temple.

"I beg your pardon, I only thought, in case you were wishing for some
one, that Miss Williams will be at liberty shortly."

"I do not imagine Miss Williams is the person to deal with little boys,"
said Rachel. "In fact, I think that home teaching is always better than
hired."

"I am so much obliged," said Fanny, as Mr. Touchett, after this defeat,
rose up to take leave, and she held out her hand, smiled, thanked, and
sent him away so much sweetened and gratified, that Rachel would have
instantly begun dissecting him, but that a whole rush of boys broke in,
and again engrossed th