"What a family your grandmother has on her hands!"
"Yes. If my father had lived, it would have been very different."
A touching expression overspread Florence's face, and made her lovelier than ever in Mrs. Osgood's eyes.
"She certainly is very pretty," that lady thought; "and how attractive such a daughter would be in my house! I should live my young life over again in her."
For Mrs. Osgood had found that the days for charming young men were over, and prosy middle-aged people were little to her taste. No woman ever clung to youth with a greater longing.
"What do you study at school?" she asked.
"Only the English branches. I have been thinking of—of becoming a teacher," said Florence hesitatingly.
"You would have a poor opportunity in this little town."
"I might go away;" and Florence sighed again.
"You have never studied music, I suppose."