Ah, this
is the letter!" The doctor read:
"I wish you could help me, Charley, in the dilemma in which I find
myself. Lucy and Helen and my little Madge are to be educated, and
the question is how, when, and where? They are delicate, and I
cannot yet make up my mind to the desolate house I would have
should they go to school. Grandmamma has pronounced against a
governess, and I don't like the day-schools of the town. Now is not
one of your daughters musical, and perhaps another sufficiently
mistress of the elementary branches to teach these babies? I will
pay liberally the right person or persons for three hours' work a
day. But I must have well-bred girls, ladies, to be with my trio of
bairns."
"I couldn't teach arithmetic or drawing," said Grace. "I would be glad
to try my hand at music, and geography and German and French. I might
be weak on spelling."
"I don't think that of you, Grace," said mother.
"I am ashamed to say it's true," said Grace.
Amy interrupted. "How far away is Judge Hastings' home, papa?"
"An hour's ride, Amy dear. No, forty minutes' ride by rail. I'll go and
see him. I've no doubt he will pay you generously, Grace, for your
services, if you feel that you can take up this work seriously."
"I do; I will," said Grace, "and only too thankful will I be to
undertake it; but what about the multiplication table, and the straight
and the curved lines, and Webster's speller?"
"Papa," said Amy, gravely, "please mention me to the judge.
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