r first trouble, for trouble it was to both.

'If we give up the mills, what have we to live on? I don't know my
father's affairs, but I imagine he has a large capital,' said George.

'It's difficult to explain to you, but most of it was in the mills. I
expect that you will have a few hundreds a year when the business is
wound up. But things have not been so prosperous as they have appeared of
late with your father, and he spent freely,' replied Mr Howroyd.

George sat silent after this; but Sarah suddenly exclaimed, 'George,
don't give it up! Open the mills again, and try to keep them going with
the old hands. I know you could, with Uncle Howroyd's help, and I'll stop
at home and help you all I can, and take care of mother.'

George gave his sister a swift glance, and then appealed to his uncle.
'What do you say, sir? Is it any use my trying?'

'My lad,' said Mr Howroyd in a moved tone of voice, 'if you had asked me
that question a month ago I should have told you to go back to your Greek
and your Latin at college, and leave blanket-making to those who know
what they are doing; but if you like to try, I'll not be the one to stop
you. It won't be much worse if you fail.'

'Oh, but he won't fail.--Will you, George?' cried Sarah.

'I hope not; I can but try,' said George.

But the two enthusiasts had a sudden check when they informed their
mother.

'George run the mills! You don't know w'at you are talkin'
about.--That's your doin', Sarah; you 've always some maggot in your
'ead.'

'But Uncle Howroyd said he might try,' said Sarah.

'Your uncle Howroyd's kindness itself, an' generous to a fault. Don't you
see you'd be runnin' them on 'is credit? Who'd trust George if they
thought 'e was responsible? An' if your uncle Howroyd stan's surety 'e
runs to lose 'eavily,' said Mrs Clay, who knew something about business.

'I never thought of that,' said Sarah slowly.

'Mother, you know that a certain sum was settled on me when I came of
age, and was not invested in the business,' said her son.

'Yes, dear; but don't you touch that. You'll only lose it, an' then w'ere
will you be?' she protested.

'Where I am now, under the necessity of earning my own living, and that
will be no hardship,' said George, with his pleasant smile.

But their mother was not to be persuaded. 'Your father was a wonderful
man. You 'aven't 'is talents, though you're dear, good children,' was all
she would say.

'My father's talents didn