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."

Mrs. Jones's emotions were too great for words. This unexpected
provision for herself and boy seemed truly providential. She might go
the world over and not meet with such delicate and appreciative
treatment. Still she hesitated. Her life in the squatter's cabin
through so many years of deprivation and poverty placed her, in her
own consciousness, in such painful contrast to the courtly and
elegant Mrs. McElroy, that she felt diffident about accepting so
responsible a trust. And she understood children well enough to
know that the offspring of the rich often look down on those in
humbler circumstances. Would the general's children respect her as
they should, in order for her to assume such a relation towards them
as their mother wished? These thoughts passed rapidly through her
mind, and, in justice to them as well as herself, she felt that
she would like to have that point put to rest. She was a woman of
straightforward good sense, and therefore decided to be frank in the
matter, and asked,--

"But would the arrangement be agreeable to your children, madam?"

Mrs. McElroy had foreseen this, and was prepared with an answer. She
rang the bell, and black Nancy appeared.

"Send Alice and Willie here," she said; and in a moment the brother
and sister came running in.

"Children," said their mother, "I've been trying to persuade Mrs.
Jones to stay with us, and take charge of you. How would you like
that?"

"O, that would be so nice!" said Alice, crossing to Mrs. Jones, and
putting her arms around her neck--an action that was peculiar to her.

"It would be real good in her, I'm sure," chimed in Willie; "and then
I could have Robert to play with me,--he makes splendid
popguns,--couldn't I, mother?"

So it was settled, and in such a manner that Mrs. Jones was made to
feel that she was conferring a favor, rather than having one conferred
on her; and, in fact, the arrangement was mutually advantageous, as
Mrs. McElroy had sincerely remarked.

Mr. Payson now called to take leave of the widow, and ask if Tom would
like to return with him. He was much pleased with the arrangement,
expressing anew his sympathy with her in he