“I am not thinking only of the class who can be helped by a crèche,” she said. “I was thinking of another type of widowed women who uphold their homes by being authors or artists, or by managing shops or businesses. They are forced to leave their children so much under other influences, and it is so sad if, after bravely playing a father’s part for years, it ends in the disappointment of their mother-heart and the frustration of their best hopes.” “Ay, I quite agree with you!” cried Miss Foster heartily, “and I congratulate you warmly on being one of those whose light affliction, lasting but a little while, suffices to open new and wider sympathies. I hope you are always getting the best news of Mr. Challoner?” she added. For Lucy had told the little teacher how she was placed at the present time. “The very best of news, thank you,” Lucy answered. For Charlie’s ship letter had been followed by others, posted at various ports, and all telling the same good tidings of revived health and strength. Indeed, the very last letter had hinted that the improvement was so marked and so stable that Charlie was sorely tempted to shorten his absence and return home by steamer. He wrote that he had suggested this to Grant, who “seemed very much cut up about it, but had raised no difficulty.” In reply to that letter Lucy had written at once, urging her husband not to think of such a thing. The better he was, the better reason was there for carrying through the original plan. “Because the foundation is so good, there is the brighter prospect in building on it,” she said. And besides, Lucy confided to Charlie that Captain Grant’s wife, in writing to her, had said that the fee for Charlie’s trip would just enable her husband to pay off the last of his father’s debts, which he had honestly taken upon himself. “And when they have brought us such good luck in enabling you to take this voyage,” wrote Lucy, “we must not spoil any good luck that our share in the matter may have brought them. Let us be wise and patient,” wrote Lucy, crushing back a sneaking hope that Charlie might even have started homeward before he could get her reply to his letter. “In that case we must pay the Grants all the same,” she reflected, “though I am afraid they would not take it.” Then she proved to herself the sincerity of her counsels to Charlie by still resolutely withholding the story of her domestic changes, which she had meant to tell him at this time when she had pulled through so far. But if she did so, it might add the last link to the yearning that was pulling him home, and she would do nothing to strengthen a temptation whose force was revealed in her own heart.