"'If you like to let bygones be bygones, I, on my
side, am quite willing to do the same. I am
writing, too, because I have heard a good deal, in
one way or another, about your large and expensive
family, and the difficulty you have in making both
ends meet. It has been more than hinted to me that
I ought to render, or at least offer, you some
assistance. I have thought perhaps the best thing
would be to take one of your girls for a six
months' visit; to stay longer, or, indeed, always,
if I should, after such a trial, continue to be
pleased with her.
"'I don't want a young child, but one old enough
to be companionable. Of course I would provide for
education, and everything, so long as she stayed
with me. It would surely be a relief to have even
one of such a number taken off your hands, and it
would be the girl's own fault if the relief were
not made permanent. If this should meet your
views, write at once, and fix a date for one of
your daughters to come to me. Your affectionate
sister,
"'RACHEL HARLEY.'"
"Oh, papa!" exclaimed Maude and Jessie in a breath, "how could we ever
leave you, and dear mamma too! We should be miserable away from home.
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