“Just so, ma’am; but there’s only Em.,” said Susan. “As he knew—as he knew,” silently sang the girl’s heart. “Is she a neat and skillful seamstress?” “None better in the world, ma’am, I think.” “Then if you will part with her to me, I would like to engage her for a few weeks.” “It is just as Em. pleases, madam. There is no necessity in us why our girls should go out to work, but I am willing to oblige you; and besides, I think the change would do the girl good. She has been moping lately. What do you say, Em.?” inquired Susan, turning to her quiet daughter. “I will go, mother, if this lady wishes me to do so; and I will do my best to give satisfaction,” answered the girl demurely. “Very well. Can you be ready to come to-morrow if I send the carriage for you?” inquired Mrs. Bruce. “I will come to you to-morrow, madam; but do not take the trouble to send for me. One of my brothers can take me to you,” said Em. “Just as you please, my dear. Three dollars a week, with board and washing, is what I have been in the habit of giving my seamstresses,” concluded the lady, as she arose to take her leave. “What will father say to this, mother?” inquired Em. when Mrs. Bruce had gone. “Your father won’t say nothing against it, child. We have had many a talk about you. He’ll be glad you’ll have a change. And mind, he’ll take you over there himself to-morrow morning,” answered Susan. Em. spent the remainder of the day in packing her little box for her removal to Commodore Bruce’s. When John Palmer came home to dinner he was told what had happened and gave his hearty approval. “I’m glad for the girl’s sake,” he said. “I know it will do her a great deal of good. We’ll miss her very much, I feel. But our loss will be her gain, and we must put up with it; for ‘sich is life.’” Later in the day old ’Sias and Aunt Sally, who had heard the news from the boys, strayed into the house to pay Em. a parting visit. “Well,” said old ’Sias, “I ain’t had sich a surprise, no, not since I was a boy, and dat were about a hund’ed and fifty years ago, more or less, honey, more or less!” “Law! What a story! But he don’t mean no harm by it, Miss Em. ’Deed he don’t! He nebber does nuffin’ to nobody,” said Aunt Sally. “But I’m mighty pleased long o’ dem dere B’uces what yer gwine to, honey. I nebber seed de ole man, nor yet de madam, but I see de young man, what time he come and took supper and stayed all night here. He’s a good soul, honey. I took a good look at him, and I know it. He’s a good soul. He’ll nebber do nuffin’ to nobody.” With these consoling assurances Aunt Sally took leave and departed, carrying Uncle ’Sias away with her. That night after Em. went to bed her mother came up unexpectedly and sat by her side. “After this busy day I wish to take this only chance I shall have of speaking to you in private, my child,” she said. Em. took her mother’s hand and kissed it with silent affection.