Nothing offered until nearly all their money was exhausted, and the
minds of the mother and eldest daughter were in a state of great
uncertainty and distress. Just at this darkest hour, intelligence of
the vacancy in Mr. C----'s school reached their ears.

Such being their circumstances, it may well be supposed that Lucy
and her mother felt deeply anxious to hear from Mr. Burgess, and
counted not only the hours as they passed, but the minutes that made
up the hours. Neither of them remarked on the fact that the day had
nearly come to its close without any communication having been
received, although both had expected to have heard much earlier from
Mr. Burgess. As the twilight began to fall, its gloom making their
hearts feel sadder, Mrs. Ellison said, "Don't you think we ought to
have heard from Mr. Burgess by this time, Lucy?"

"I hoped to have received some intelligence before this," replied
the daughter. "But perhaps we are impatient; it takes time to do
every thing."

"Yes; but it wouldn't take Mr. Burgess long to call upon Mr. C----.
He might have done it in half an hour from the time you saw him."

"If he could have left his business to do so; but you know men in
business cannot always command their time."

"I know; but still"--

"He has no doubt called," continued Lucy, interrupting her mother,
for she could not bear to hear even an implied censure passed upon
Mr. Burgess; "but he may not have obtained an interview with Mr.