in her eyes. 'He
says that he has no ill-will to the poor girl; on the contrary, he is
very fond of her; but he don't think her a good match for our eldest
son, Owen, who might marry very well. For my own part, I think he would
never meet with such another as Gladys; but that is in the hands of
Providence, and if it is to be it will be. He says that he is sure Owen
will never come home as long as she is with us, for fear of sending her
away; but that when he knows that she is so well off with you, he will
perhaps come back again. And, indeed, we want him sadly, Miss Gwynne. It
is a great trial to us, to have three children, and neither of them at
home to help us. My husband is much altered since Netta married, though
he don't show it; and Netta won't write, or do anything to prove she's
sorry, and though he don't say so, I think this makes him more angry.'

'Then you really wish Gladys to come to me?'

'I do indeed, Miss Gwynne. I am quite sure it will be for her good; and
you cannot help liking her. But she will not make any choice between the
two situations you offer, but says you must do with her whatever you
think best.'

'Is she very unhappy at the idea of coming to us?'

'Not at all. She is very sad to leave us, but she says she would rather
do so, and would rather serve you than any other lady in the world.'

'Well, perhaps it may be best for all parties. I think she is too young
and too pretty to live alone at the school-house, and besides, I don't
particularly want to change mistresses: so I mean to have her as my
maid, and then I can take care of her myself. You know I have not had a
regular maid since that disagreeable affair of Evans; one of the
housemaids has waited on me, and I don't like maids, they are so in
one's way. But I shall like Gladys. And she can help Miss Hall in the
school, and go and see you every evening if she likes, when we are at
dinner. In short, I am sure it is a capital plan for us all, and will
make matters easy for you.'

'You are so very kind, Miss Gwynne, I do not know what we should have
done without you. Gladys would have begged her way back to Ireland, and
died there.'

'I mustn't stay any longer; I have outstayed my five minutes over and
over again. You can send Gladys when you like. I have heaps of dresses,
and clothes, of all kinds for her, so don't you think of giving her
anything new. I will give her the same wages that I gave Evans, so she
will feel quite independ