clothing, until scarcely anything is left. And now they occupy three
small rooms in an out-of-the-way neighborhood, and Ethel, poor child!
is brought face to face with the question of bread.'"

CHAPTER XX.

THE voice of the speaker broke as she uttered the last sentence. A deep
silence fell upon the little company. Mrs. Birtwell had turned her
face, so that it could not be seen, and tears that she was unable to
keep back were falling over it. She was first to speak.

"What," she asked, "was this young lady doing at the house of your
friend?"

"She had applied for the situation of day-governess. My friend
advertised, and Ethel Ridley, not knowing that the lady had any
knowledge of her or her family came and offered herself for the place.
Not being able to decide what was best to be done, she requested Ethel
to call again on the next day, and I came in while she was there."

"Did your friend engage her?" asked Mrs. Birtwell.

"She had not done so when I saw her yesterday. The question of fitness
for the position was one that she had not been able to determine. Ethel
is young and inexperienced. But she will do all for her that lies in
her power."

"What is your friend's name?" asked Mrs. Birtwell.

"The lady I refer to is Mrs. Sandford. You know her, I believe?"

"Mrs. Sandford? Yes; I know her very well."

By a mutual and tacit consent the subject was here dropped, and soon
after Mrs. Birtwell retired. On gaining the street she stood with an
air of indetermination for a little while, and then walked slowly away.
Once or twice before reaching the end of the block she paused and went
back a few steps, turned and moved on again, but still in an undecided
manner. At the corner she stopped for several moments, then, as if her
mind was made up, walked forward rapidly. By the firm set of her mouth
and the contraction of her brows it was evident that some strong
purpose was taking shape in her thoughts.

As she was passing a handsome residence before which a carriage was
standing a lady came out. She had been making a call. On seeing her
Mrs. Birtwell stopped, and reaching out her hand, said:

"Mrs. Sandford! Oh, I'm glad to see you. I was just going to your
house."

The lady took her hand, and grasping it warmly, responded:

"And I'm right glad to see you, Mrs. Birtwell. I've been thinking about
you all day. Step into the carriage. I shall drive directly home."

Mrs. Birtwell accepted the invitation. A