m sorry to write you bad news. Miss Jane Dolby
has decided to visit a sister in Chicago and remain a year. Of
course this cuts off the liberal income I have received from her,
and which has been adequate to meet my expenses. I may be able to
earn something by sewing, but it will be only a little. I shall,
therefore, have to accept the offer you made me sometime since to
send me a weekly sum. I am sorry to be a burden to you, but it will
only be for a year. At the end of that time Miss Dolby promises to
come back and resume boarding with me.

"I think we have reason to feel grateful for your continued success
in New York. Silas Tripp called a few evenings since. He has had a
great deal of trouble with boys. He says he has not had anyone to
suit him since you left. He asked me if I thought you would come
back for four dollars a week. This he seemed to consider a very
liberal offer, and it was--for him. I didn't give him any
encouragement, as I presume you prefer art to the grocery business.

"You need not begin to send me money, at once, as I have been able
to save a little from Miss Dolby's board.

"Your affectionate mother,

"SARAH RAND."

Chester answered at once:

"DEAR MOTHER: Don't feel any anxiety about your loss of income
through Miss Dolby's departure, and don't try to earn any money by
sewing. My income is larger than you suppose, and I will send you
weekly as much as you have been accustomed to receive from your
boarder. Should it be more than you need, you can lay aside any
surplus for future use.

"Tell Mr. Tripp I prefer New York to Wyncombe as a place of
business, and I am obliged to decline his generous offer. I cannot
help thinking sometimes how fortunate it was that he declined over
a year since to increase my pay, as in that case I might still have
been working for him instead of establishing a reputation as an
artist here. Last week I received a larger offer from another
publication, but as the publishers of _The Phoenix_ have always
treated me well, I didn't think that I would be justified in making
a change. I mean in a week or two to come home to pass Sunday. I
shall feel delighted to see my friends in Wyncombe, and most of
all, my mother.

"Your loving son, CHESTER ."

Mrs. Rand protested against Chester sending her eight dollars a week,
but