I told him yesterday I could not think of marrying now,
whilst we are all so unsettled. It grieved me to do it, Charlie, but I felt
that it was my duty. Cad and I are going to add our savings to mother's;
that, combined with what we shall receive for father's tools, good-will,
&c, will be sufficient to furnish another house; and as soon as we can
succeed in that, we will leave Mr. Walters, as it is embarrassing to remain
under present circumstances."
"And what is to become of little Em?--she surely won't remain alone with
him?"
"Mr. Walters has proposed that when we procure a house she shall come and
board with us. He wants us to take one of his houses, and offers some
fabulous sum for the child's board, which it would be unreasonable in us to
take. Dear, good man, he is always complaining that we are too proud, and
won't let him assist us when he might. If we find a suitable house I shall
be delighted to have her. I love the child for her mother's sake and her
own."
"I wonder if they will ever send her away, as they did Clarence?" asked
Charlie.
"I do not know," she rejoined. "Mr. Balch told me that he should not insist
upon it if the child was unwilling."
The next day Charlie purchased all the morning papers he could obtain, and
sat down to look over the list of wants.
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