"How d'ye do, Ruth," said she, in a tone which implied--what on earth do you want now? "Very well, I thank you," said Ruth, with that sudden sinking at the heart, which even the _intonation_ of a voice may sometimes give; "I can only stay a few minutes; I stopped to ask you, if you thought there was any probability of success, should I attempt to get a private school?" "There is nothing to prevent your trying," replied Mrs. Millet, carelessly; "other widows have supported themselves; there was Mrs. Snow." Ruth sighed, for she knew that Mrs. Snow's relatives had given her letters of introduction to influential families, and helped her in various ways till she could get her head above water. "Yes," continued Mrs. Millet, laying her daughter's silk dress on the bed, and stepping back a pace or two, with her head on one side, to mark the effect of the satin bow she had been arranging; "yes--other widows support themselves, though, I am sure, I don't know how they do it--I suppose there must be a way--Leila! is that bow right? seems to me the dress needs a yard or two more lace; ten dollars will not make much difference; it will be such an improvement." "Of course not," said Leila, "it will be a very great improvement; and by the way, Ruth, don't you want to sell me that coral pin you used to wear? it would look very pretty with this green dress." "It was _Harry's_ gift," said Ruth. "Yes," replied Leila; "but I thought you'd be very glad to part with it for _money_." A flush passed over Ruth's face. "Not _glad_, Leila," she replied, "for everything that once belonged to Harry is precious, though I might feel necessitated to part with it, in my present circumstances." "Well, then," said Mrs. Millet, touching her daughter's elbow, "you'd better have it, Leila." "Harry gave ten dollars for it," said Ruth. "Yes, _originally_, I dare say," replied Mrs. Millet, "but nobody expects to get much for second-hand things. Leila will give you a dollar and a quarter for it, and she would like it soon, because when this north-east storm blows over, she wants to make a few calls on Snyder's relatives, in this very becoming silk dress;" and Mrs. Millet patted Leila on the shoulder. "Good-bye," said Ruth. "Don't forget the brooch," said Leila. "I wish Ruth would go off into the country, or somewhere," remarked Leila, as Ruth closed the door. "I have been expecting every day that Snyder would hear of her offering to make caps in that work-shop; he is so fastidious about such things, being connected with the Tidmarshes, and that set, you know."