He now came forward, and she saw that his own eyes were shining with tears. He held out his hand to her, and there was a note of tenderness in his voice, as he said: “My young friend, forgive me for taxing your patience and good nature to such an extent, and allow me to say that you have given me more pleasure during this half hour than I have experienced this many a day.” Brownie gave him her hand, and while holding it, he asked: “And now will you allow me just one more question?” She bowed, wondering what was coming next. “I do not know what your circumstances may be,” he said, with a little embarrassment, “but could you be persuaded to teach?” “Yes, sir, if I could feel satisfied that I was competent to fill the position offered me,” Brownie replied, frankly. It had been her desire to teach from the first, but no opportunity had offered, and she had resolved to secure the first situation of whatever nature, if honorable, that she could obtain. “I am happy to hear it,” returned the old man. “You ought to be a teacher of languages and music. Now, if you will kindly give me your name and address, I will endeavor to call upon you at an early date, and talk with you further regarding the matter.” Brownie did as requested, and did not fail to notice his start of surprise when she mentioned her connection with the firm of Ware & Coolidge, nor the contraction of his finely shaped brows which followed it. He then presented his card to her, after which he lifted his hat, and bowed to both girls as if they had been the most aristocratic ladies in the land, and then left them. Brownie looked at the card. It bore the name of Wm. H. Alcott, M. D. Wondering what object Wm. H. Alcott, M. D., could have in view regarding her, she carefully put the little bit of pasteboard in her pocketbook, and then the two young girls hastened home, arriving there just as their landlady was about locking the doors for the night. “You’re late,” she said, grimly, and with a suspicious look into Brownie’s beautiful face, she added: “I don’t believe in girls o’ your age walking the streets at this time o’ night. I only advertise to take respectable boarders.” Brownie’s proud spirit boiled at these insulting words, but she did not deign to notice them further than by lifting her proud head a trifle more haughtily, as she swept up the stairs to her own room, followed by the more subdued and trembling Mattie. CHAPTER IX CHANGE OF OCCUPATION The next day but one, while Brownie was trying her utmost to do her allotted task and get out of the factory an hour earlier, that she might slip down to the reading-room and finish that little French romance in which she had been so deeply interested, Miss Walton came to her and told her, in her grim, curt way, that she was wanted in the office.