"I cannot remain longer in these apartments, living on the hospitality of the general," said she; "and as your dear father is gone, it becomes me to earn something for my own support. I must have Robert with me, he is so young, and make some humble home where you can be with us as much as possible. But what I can do to effect this I cannot now see, there are so few opportunities for women to earn." It goaded Tom that his mother was under the necessity of talking in so depressed a way, and that he could do nothing suitably to provide for her. At this juncture there was a gentle knock at the door, and Mrs. McElroy entered. "You will excuse me if I have intruded," said she; "but I came in to ask what arrangements, if any, you had made for the future, and to say that, if you have nothing better in view, the general and myself would like to have you remain with us." "But I have already been dependent on your hospitality too long," objected Mrs. Jones, "and it seems proper that I should make a home for myself and Robert as soon as possible." "Have you any suitable place provided as yet?" asked Mrs. McElroy. "Not decisively," answered the widow. "It could not be expected that you would so soon," answered Mrs. McElroy. "Now we have a plan for you, which may be to our mutual advantage. The little community dwelling within these brick walls is a very social one, and the general's time and my own is so much occupied, that my children suffer for a mother's care. You are exactly the person we need to take the oversight of them. Your own children are a credit to you; they show that you have just the qualities of mind and heart for such a position. Now, if you will look a little after my children's training, you will take a burden from my hands, and a load of anxiety from my mind, and between us both, I think we can manage so as not to be overcharged." "But Robert--" began Mrs. Jones, hesitatingly. "The general has taken a great fancy to him, and says if he can have him he will make something of him; and what my husband undertakes he never does by halves. Robert would have the best of advantages, and be under your own eye."