me, we take turns to read her
the papers now, but though our throats ache, and we're as hoarse as
ravens, we don't content her. Mrs. Mortlock is looking out for what
she is pleased to call a 'continual reader,' dear, and what I'm
thinking is that perhaps you or your sister would like to try for the
post--I believe you'd suit her fine, and she can pay well, for she's
fairly made of money."

Primrose colored. To read to Mrs. Mortlock was about the last
occupation she would have chosen, but the thought of the purse at home
which was getting so sadly light, and the feeling that after all her
efforts she might never do much in the china-painting line, caused her
to reflect anxiously.

"May I think about it and let you know, Mrs. Dredge?"

"No, no, my dear, not by any means, for she has advertised, and they
are pouring in. Poor Sarah Susan is almost off her head answering the
door to them. Stout readers and thin readers, old readers and young
readers, they're all flying to the post, as if there were nothing in
life so delightful as being 'continual reader' of politics to poor
Mrs. Mortlock. She ought to have been suited long ago, but I've a
strong hope that she isn't, for she's as fidgety and particular as if
she were a countess. Your best chance, dear, is to come straight home
with me--we'll see Mrs. Mortlock on the spur of the moment, and try
and arrange it all."

In this way Primrose obtained her first situation, for Mrs. Mortlock
was glad to feel her soft young hand, and her gentle and refined tones
had an instant and soothing effect on the poor lady's irritable
nerves.

"My dear," she said, "what with rasping voices, and piping voices, and
droning voices, to say nothing of voices that were more like growls
than anything else, I felt nearly demented. Yes, Miss Mainwaring, this
is a sore affliction that has befallen me, and I knew there was
nothing before me but the services of a 'continual reader,' for poor
Mrs. Dredge, though she did her best, was decidedly thick in her
utterance; and Miss Slowcum, oh dear! the affectations of Miss Slowcum
were quite beyond me, besides our differing altogether in politics--me
holding for Gladstone, and she fairly hating the poor man. You'll do
very well, Miss Mainwaring, and I hope you'll study your papers well
while you're at home, so that you may know what you are reading about,
and read intelligent accordingly. I always like both sides of the
question, which was my poor husband