don't know how to be glad
enough, so I just cry, you see."

Everybody "saw," figuratively speaking, for actual sight was quite
impossible with the quick sympathetic tears that sprang to every one's
eyes. Opinions flew about like papers in the wind, and Mrs. Dering could
not make herself heard in the babel of tongues.

"Wait, girls, listen a moment," she exclaimed at last, and the
commotion quieted, somewhat, to hear what she had to say.

"You know," she began, drawing Jean to her side, "I have been telling
you this morning how very differently we would have to live, now; it
will take all of us, working hard, to keep home comfortable, for the
expenses of a family of such size are very heavy. Since realizing this,
I have prayed long and earnestly to know what was best to do about
Jeanie, for if I can secure the position at the seminary, I can only
come home twice a week, and in the meantime, I could not bear the worry
of her being here alone with you girls, even though I know you would be
faithful and careful of the trust. Now comes Mr. Congreve's offer, with
the promise that she shall have every attention, care and luxury, and
better than all, that she shall see eminent and skillful physicians,
whom we could never afford. I feel as though it was God's answer to my
prayer, and that it is wicked to hesitate a moment, however much we all
love our little girl, and hate to have her go so far away."

"But, oh, mama," cried Jean, with a sob of ecstatic joy and excitement,
"just to think of my being straight and well, like Kittie and the rest!
I would feel like I never could thank God and Uncle Ridley enough. Oh, I
_may_ go, mayn't I?"

"Yes, darling, you shall go."

So briefly was it settled.

Everybody was in raptures excepting Olive. She frowned severely, and
looked bitterly pained, but she said nothing until the rest had left the
room, then she came to Mrs. Dering's side. "Oh, mama, are you really
going to let her go?"

"Yes, dear."

"How can you? Such a cruel, selfish, unfeeling--"

"Hush, Olive."

Olive did so instantly, and stood with her hands folded and eyes down,
the very picture of bitter defiant distrust, and Mrs. Dering saw in an
instant that any thing she might say in Mr. Congreve's behalf, would be
wasted words, as Olive was fully prepared to misconstrue anything that
the old gentleman might say or do. Nevertheless, she laid her hands on
those tightly folded ones, and said gently: "Olive dear, we mu