the nursemaid, who had lived in the family for some
years, was much attached to the children, and had declared her wish to
"stay by them," if possible; and Mr Barker had little doubt that she
would do all the servant's work of the house, and make their friends
tolerably easy with respect to their domestic safety and comfort.

Jane was pleased with the plan, and accordingly it was put in execution
with as little delay as possible. In two months' time the house was
ready for them. The little furniture and house-linen which was required
was put into it, and all the family, except Charles, removed to their
new abode. Jane was awfully impressed with the sense of responsibility,
when she took her place as mistress of the house, and when she looked
upon the three children who depended on her for their domestic comfort,
and for much more than this; for guidance in the formation of their
habits and characters. But she also felt the great relief of being
alone with her brother and sisters, and of having once more a home. The
house was tolerably comfortable, though very small. The parlour and
kitchen were on the ground floor; over them were two bed-rooms, one of
which was occupied by Jane, the other by Isabella and Harriet. Over
these were two attics, occupied by little Alfred and the servant. The
furniture was scanty, but good of its kind, and likely to last for some
years. The only luxurious article in the whole house was a small set of
book-shelves, filled with books, which Mr Barker would not allow to be
sold off with the other effects. They were not many, but well chosen,
and therefore valuable to Jane at present, and likely to be so to her
sisters when they should be old enough to make use of them.

Mrs Barker wished that Jane should set out on her new plan of life, as
little oppressed by domestic cares as possible, and had therefore
assisted her before the removal, in overlooking her own and the
children's wardrobe. They were all comfortably supplied with every
thing necessary. Their mourning of course was new: perfectly plain, but
substantially good, it was intended to last a long time, and that for
many months their clothing should be very little expense to them. Jane
was an excellent workwoman, and her sister Isabella had been in the
habit of assisting her, by keeping her own clothes in very good order.
With respect to the little cares of housekeeping, Jane was easy: she had
been so well taught, and so long