onfinement in a little poking
place. I feel sometimes as if I should be stifled. Good gracious,
Hazel! what could you be thinking about to come and live in a town like
this? Let's go, my dear, and find some occupation more congenial to
your spirit. I cannot bear to go on seeing how you are wasted here."

"My dear mother!" exclaimed Hazel wonderingly.

"I repeat it, Hazel--I repeat it, my dear!" exclaimed Mrs Thorne
excitedly. "You are not fit for this place, and the wretched people
down here do not appreciate you. Let us go away at once."

"But, my dear mother, it is impossible. I should, even if I thought it
best, be obliged to give some months' notice; and besides, it would be
ungrateful to Mr and Miss Burge, and to the vicar, who is most kind and
considerate."

"Oh yes; I know all that," whimpered Mrs Thorne. "But all the same, we
must go."

"Must go, mother dear?"

"Yes, child--must go. It is a cruelty to you to keep you here."

"But I have been so well, mother; and I seem to be winning the
confidence of the people, and the children begin to like me."

"Oh yes--yes--yes; of course they are bound to like you, Hazel, seeing
what a slave you make yourself to them. But all the same, my dear, I
protest against your stopping here any longer."

"My dear mother," said Hazel, rising and going to her side to bend down
and kiss her, "pray--pray don't be so unreasonable."

"Unreasonable?--unreasonable? Am I to be called unreasonable for
advising you for your benefit? For shame, Hazel--for shame!"

"But my dear mother, suppose I accede to your wishes and decide to
leave: where are we to go? I should have to seek for another
engagement."

"And you would get it, Hazel. Thousands of school managers would be
only too glad to obtain your services."

Hazel shook her head and smiled.

"No, mother dear; you are too partial. Engagements are not so plentiful
as that. Think it over, and you will look at the matter differently.
We have not the means at our command to think of moving now."

"But we must leave, Hazel, and at once," cried Mrs Thorne excitedly.
"I cannot and I will not stay here."

"But it would be unreasonable and foolish, dear, to think of doing so
under our present circumstances. For the children's sake--for Percy's
sake, pray be more considerate. We must not think of it at present.
After a time, perhaps, I may have the offer of a better post and the
change may be such a one as you will