To think was to act, and she boldly called on the mistress, who sent her away terribly dejected, with the information that at least a year's training in the system, however well educated the would-be teacher might be, was absolutely necessary. Hazel, however, obtained a good deal of information as well, ready to ponder over--how she might either go to Whitelands or to Smith Square, Westminster; what would be the cost; the probabilities of her obtaining a school afterwards; the salary; etcetera, etcetera. She went back in despair, for how could the money be obtained to pay her expenses and keep house as well, while the idea of obtaining a school at the end of a year's training, with a certain salary and a comfortable home, seemed so Eden-like a prospect that the difficulties to be surmounted appeared to grow. Like all other difficulties, however, they began to shrink when boldly attacked. Hazel wrote to two or three relatives, as a forlorn hope, and they who had before only doled out a few pounds unwillingly, jumped at the chance of getting the indigent applicant off their hands, and after a consultation, wrote to her saying they were so pleased with her efforts at self-help, that amongst them they would subscribe the funds for paying her fees, at the training institution and for maintaining Mrs Thorne and the children for a year, or such time as Hazel should get a school. "Oh, mamma, mamma, sunshine at last," cried the girl, and trembling, weeping, and laughing hysterically, in turn, so great was her joy, she read the letter, which came upon Mrs Thorne as a surprise, her child having kept her quite in ignorance of the plans to prevent disappointment. "Then, I think it very disgraceful, very disgraceful indeed, Hazel," said the poor woman indignantly. "They ought to be ashamed of themselves." "Ashamed, dear mother!" "Now, don't you turn against me in my troubles, Hazel," cried Mrs Thorne. "What have I done that my own child should begin to degrade me?" "Degrade you? Oh, my own dear mother!" "There--there again! I don't care how low we are forced by the cruelty of my relatives, and your poor dear papa's. I will never forget that I am a lady." "Surely not, dear," said Hazel soothingly. "Then why will you persist in calling me by that low, common, degrading term--Mother?" "Dear mamma, I thought it better under the circumstances." "No circumstances could excuse it, Hazel," said Mrs Thorne with dignity. "Percy never speaks to me like that; and by-the-way, my dear, Percy says he must have a new suit: his mourning is getting so shabby, he is quite ashamed of it, and I'm sure my heart bleeds every time I see the poor boy go out." "Yes, mamma, we will see what can be done," said Hazel, suppressing a sigh. "And as to that national school business," continued Mrs Thorne, "it is disgraceful. Write and tell cousin Jane and her husband that, however low we may be reduced by poverty, my daughter will never forget that she is a lady."