had a note of six thousand to meet in sixty days,
and he was trying every way to raise it without touching your money in
the bank. He said if he could not pay it, the store would go, that the
home was ours, and must never go for his debts. Just a few days ago a
letter came, and he snatched it so eagerly, that I knew it was very
important; it was very short, and when he finished reading it he laid
his head down and groaned. He didn't know I was near, and I did not
speak then, but that letter has haunted me ever since, and yesterday
when you thought I was asleep, I was down at the store, and I found it
in his private drawer. O mama, it was from Mr. Congreve, and so short
and cruel, oh, so bitterly cruel, and I tore it all to shreds, and burnt
it, and never meant to tell you, at least, not for awhile. He refused to
loan papa a cent, and said he didn't care if he lost both business and
home, and when I read it I believe I could almost have killed him.
To-night when he came and gave me his card I threw it in his face, and
told him I _hated_ him!"

"Olive! Olive!"

"I did, I did, and I'm glad; I felt as if it would choke me to sleep
with him in the house to-night, and I never want to look at him again. I
would rather work my fingers off than ever have you take one penny of
his money, or let him help us in any way," cried Olive, excitedly,
almost forgetting the sleeping household in her energy.

Mrs. Dering put her hand to her head, bewildered with the sudden news,
and Olive saw, and comprehended the look of startled trouble that rested
on her face.

"We are very poor now, aren't we, mama?"

"Yes, child, yes; indeed I am quite bewildered," exclaimed Mrs. Dering,
anxiously. "Did you say sixty days, Olive?"

"Yes, mama, the time is out next Friday."

"Is it possible? What shall we do!"

"Isn't letting it go, the only thing we can do?" asked Olive.

"I suppose so, but really I can hardly think, it all seems so sudden,"
and truly her sad, troubled face echoed her words.

"I have been thinking about it so long," said Olive, as though relieved
to speak her thoughts. "The home is ours, and you have four thousand in
the bank. It seems to me a very little for seven people to live on, but
we are all strong and well, and can work."

"Yes, all strong and well but Jean," and Mrs. Dering's eyes went
wistfully to the little unconscious face resting on the pillow. "She
will have to be so neglected in more ways than one, if home i