aid. "Poppy could not really help
you about publishers. Look here, Jasmine and Daisy; here is a letter I
found in mamma's cabinet yesterday--it is directed to me, but the news
it contains is for us all; will you and Daisy go out into the garden
and read it together. You will be very much astonished when you read
the letter--poor mamma, what she must have suffered! While you are
reading I will go out. Mr. Danesfield says I may consult him, and as I
know he is a wise man, I will do so."

"Would you like to take my ode with you?" inquired Jasmine.

"No, not to-day, dear--if I am not in to dinner, don't wait for me."

"I know one thing; we'll be very saving about that dinner," remarked
Jasmine, shaking back her curly locks. "If you are not in, Primrose,
Daisy and I will divide an egg between us--I read somewhere that eggs
were very nourishing, and half a one each will do fine. Come into the
garden now, Eyebright. Oh, Primrose! I don't feel a bit low about
adding to our income. If we choose we can eat so very little, and
then if the ---- _Review_ likes my poetry, I can spin it off by the
yard."

CHAPTER XI.

BREAD AND BUTTER.

Primrose, her head a little more erect than usual, her step firm, and
a proud bright light in her eyes, went quickly down the little
rambling village street. The plain black dress she wore set off her
yellow hair and extremely fair complexion to the best advantage. She
had never looked sweeter or more independent than at this moment,
when, for the first time in her young life, she was about to ask for
help.

Mr. Danesfield was not so busy this morning, and he saw his young
visitor without delay.

"Sit down, my dear," he said; "I am very pleased to see you. You want
to ask for my advice? I will give it with the greatest pleasure."

Primrose raised her head slowly. "I have been thinking over what you
said yesterday," she began. "As it is quite impossible for my sisters
and me to live on our little income, even with the help of what you
have in the bank, we must try to help ourselves, must we not?"

"This is a brave thought, my dear--of course you must help
yourselves, and you will be none the worse for doing so."

"We must earn money," continued Primrose. "How can girls like us, who
are not educated--for I know we are not _really_ educated--add to our
incomes?"

Mr. Danesfield knit his brows. "Child," he said, "you ask me a
puzzler. I have no children of my own, and I know very li