r, and
was much more comfortable and happy, I know, than half the girls are
that set up to be 'young ladies' now; so that I hope you will never
despise service, Kate," her mother had said.

Kate recalled these words, and many others that her mother had spoken
lately upon the same subject, but now that it seemed as though the
choice lay in her own hands, they had little weight with her. These
notions were old-fashioned, she whispered to herself, nobody ever went
to service now if they could possibly obtain any other employment.
Even Esther Odell was going to learn dress-making, although there was a
large family to keep, and her father's wages barely sufficed to supply
all their wants; and thinking of Esther, made Katie decide to say
nothing to her mother about her teacher desiring to see her, for she
never could meet her schoolfellows' taunts and jeers about being a
servant, when she had the chance of being something better. As Kate
went into the little back room, behind the shop, where her mother was
sitting, she noticed the traces of tears on her face, and asked rather
anxiously if she was ill.

"No, my dear, I have only been thinking this matter over again, and I
cannot help feeling troubled about it."

"But why should you, mother?" and Kate stooped and kissed the pale
anxious face, and was about to whisper, "You may have your wish after
all, for teacher wants to see you to-morrow morning." But a footstep
was heard on the stairs, and she said, "Here comes Aunt Ellen;" and the
next minute the door opened, and Mrs. Haydon's sister entered the room.

"Oh, you have come in, Kate. I came down to see if your mother was
fretting still. It's very foolish of her, I think. Of course, we
never can have things just as we wish, and if you can't get a nice
respectable situation in a family, you ought to take your uncle's
offer."

"Yes, yes, she shall; I've made up my mind about it now, Ellen," said
the widow, hastily; while Kate turned to the window to hide her
tell-tale face.

"Well, I'm glad the matter is decided so far, for you were just making
yourself ill with the worry."

"I don't see why mother should worry so much about it," said Kate,
petulantly.

Her aunt looked at her for a minute in silence, and then said, "Well,
she cannot expect to keep you tied to her apron-string all your life.
Of course, if you could get a quiet place near home it would be
better;" for Aunt Ellen at that moment was asking herself t