“I will not be too particular,” cried Florence, coloring. “Indeed, it is only for papa’s sake that I am anxious to have rooms that will not too forcibly remind him of our changed fortunes. In fact, I must be prudent. Some one--I think it must have been Aunt Margaret--sent me anonymously a hundred pounds soon after papa was taken ill. Carefully as I have husbanded this sum, the daily expenses are fast reducing it; so, you see, I must learn to economize and make no wry faces about it.” This was said so cheerfully that Susan gave her a little approving nod, and went on: “I have been thinking that you might settle in the neighborhood of Kirton-on-the-Thames. It is a pleasantly situated market town, and I have written to a lady living in the vicinity whose children I used to teach. Mrs. Railton is in want of a morning governess, and will try you on my recommendation.” “And must I go and look for lodgings in that neighborhood?” asked Florence, her heart failing her at the idea of the task. “I think not, if you can content yourself with the accommodation you can have at a cottage about a mile from Mrs. Railton’s villa. The old couple it belongs to are eccentric, but thoroughly kind-hearted; and Mrs. Bick nursed me so tenderly through an attack of scarlet fever that I am always grateful to her, and have more than once spent my summer holidays beneath her roof. Do you think you can content yourself in a tiny country cottage, Miss Heriton?” “Dear Susan, you shall see that I will put aside all my fastidious likes and dislikes. Indeed, I am more in earnest than you seem to imagine,” said Florence gravely. “I do not doubt your earnestness; I only ask myself how you will bear with the difficulties of the career you have chosen--with the requirements of exacting mothers, the obstinacy or pettishness of their children. Can you, who have been accustomed to see yourself obeyed, learn to pay respect and obedience to persons in rank and education far your inferiors?” “It is for papa’s sake. Surely I shall never forget that! Don’t dishearten me, Susan,” poor Florence pleaded. “I do not wish to do so; only it is necessary that you should thoroughly comprehend what you are about to undertake.” “Well, on the score of the cottage you may be easy,” was the reply; “for our apartments over the way are neither so elegant nor spacious that we shall have cause to regret them; besides which, Mrs. Jones daily mutters in my hearing that she can’t be bothered much longer with the trouble of sick people.” As Susan was writing a note to Mrs. Bick, and jotting down a few hints for the journey likely to be useful to such inexperienced travelers, she suddenly looked up to inquire: “Have you written to your aunt, Mrs. Blunden, lately? Will she not interfere to prevent the necessity of this step?”