His thoughts naturally ran upon teaching, as his continued occupation. He knew nothing of any other. All England was before him; and he supposed he might obtain a living at it, wherever he might go. Such testimonials as his were not met with every day. His cousin Julia had married a man of some local influence (as Mr. Halliburton had understood) in the city in which they resided, the chief town of one of the midland counties: and a thought crossed his mind more than once, whether it might not be well to choose that same town to settle in. "They might be able to recommend me, you see, Jane," he observed to his wife, one evening as they were sitting together, after the children were in bed. "Not that I should much like to ask any favour of Julia." "Why not?" said Jane. "Because she is not a pleasant person to ask a favour of: it is many years since I saw her, but I well remember that. Another reason why I feel inclined to that place is that it is a cathedral town. Cathedral towns have many of the higher order of the clergy in them; learning is sure to be considered there, should it not be anywhere else. Consequently there would be an opening for classical teaching." Jane thought the argument had weight. "And there's yet another thing," continued Mr. Halliburton. "You remember Peach?" "Peach?--Peach?" repeated Jane, as if unable to recall the name. "The young fellow I had so much trouble with, a few years ago--drilling him between his terms at Oxford. But for me, he never would have passed either his great or his little go. He did get plucked the first time he went up. You must remember him, Jane: he has often taken tea with us here." "Oh, yes--yes! I remember him now. Charley Peach." "Well, he has recently been appointed to a minor canonry in that same cathedral," resumed Mr. Halliburton. "Dr. Jacobs told me of it the other day. Now I am quite sure that Peach would be delighted to say a word for me, or to put anything in my way. That is another reason why I am inclined to go there." "I suppose the town is a healthy one?" "Ay, that it is; and it is seated in one of the most charming of our counties. There'll be no London fogs or smoke there." "Then, Edgar, let us decide upon it." "Yes, I think so--unless we should hear of an opening elsewhere that may promise better. We must be away by Midsummer, if we can, or soon after. It will be sharp work, though." "What trouble it will be to pack the furniture!" she exclaimed. "Pack what furniture, Jane? We must sell the furniture." "Sell the furniture!" she uttered, aghast. "My dear, it would never do to take the furniture down. It would cost almost as much as it is worth. There's no knowing, either, how long it might be upon the road, or what damage it might receive. I expect it would have to go principally by water." "By water!" cried Mrs. Halliburton.