Janet thought long and deeply over this letter, and the immediate result of her meditations was that she wrote to Mr. Frank Hopper. Poor Janet! She felt very reluctant to do it.
"Ship Hotel, Guelph Street, Liverpool.
"DEAR SIR,
"You were kind enough to say that you would help me if you could. Will you give me a few lines which I may show to any one here to whom I may apply for work? I am quite unknown here, and my husband and I have decided that it is better for me not to join him just yet. I think he will most likely go after a time to my brother in British Columbia, and there is no use in my going out till I can go there direct. I am a very good dressmaker, and wish to find work in order to help my husband.
"Your obedient servant,
"JANET RAYBURN."
Mr. Hopper at once sent her a letter which answered her purpose. She was fortunate enough to get employment in the cutting-out department of a great shop in Bold Street, where she gave such satisfaction that she was told that she should be the head of the department when the lady now over it married, which she was about to do soon. She was free at about seven o'clock, and might be free rather earlier in winter.
She sent the boys to a little preparatory school in the street in which she now lodged, Frank to learn, and Fred to be safe; and the servant at the lodgings undertook to give them their dinner when they came home, and on fine days to let them play in what she (perhaps satirically) called the garden, and generally to keep a watch upon them. Then she was able to write to Fred to say that she had got employment which, with the few pounds she kept, would support her and the boys for a time; and she sent him all the rest of the money she still had, urging him to go to her brother Gilbert, and "not to be longer about sending for her than he could help, for she felt very sad without him."
Poor Janet! She would not have admitted to any one, even to herself, that she in the least distrusted her husband. Yet, in doing this, she was unconsciously influenced by a touch of distrust. She felt that if she kept money enough to take her and the boys out, maybe Fred would go on just keeping himself; he had never taken kindly to steady, dull work, and this kind of life might have some strange attraction for him. Whereas, if he knew that she was working hard, and that he must send her the passage-money, he would certainly feel quite differently. As for herself and the children, she had no fears. God would take care of them.
But God's ways are not our ways; and Janet's simple faith was to be sorely tried. And it stood the trial, because it was simple and humble. When things happened that she did not expect, Janet did not forthwith conclude that God had forgotten His promises; she concluded that she had not fully understood them.
The summer was now past, and the winter was a severe one. Liverpool is a very cold place, too, and Janet felt it herself, though she did not actually suffer in health. But the children caught cold again and again. They would creep back to their rather dreary home when school was over, with their little overcoats unbuttoned, and their warm comforters forgotten. After a time, Janet succeeded in teaching Frank that it was his duty to take care of Fred, and of himself too, because it made poor "muddie" so wretched to see them ill. From that time, Frank remembered; and it was touching to see the tender, protecting care he took of little Fred, who really suffered far less from cold than did Frank himself. Frank grew tall and thin and white, but he never complained, for "poor muddie would be sorry, if she knew how his bones pained him."
Looking back upon that time in Liverpool, it always seemed to Janet very long, yet it really lasted but a few months. She heard regularly from her husband, and he wrote in good spirits. He had set out to join Gilbert Gray, but, having reached a town called New Durham, in British Columbia, he fell in with an acquaintance who was in business there, and who had put him up to one or two very good things; he would soon be quite independent. In sending him that money she had, he thought, laid the foundation of a fine fortune; but he would send her the passage-money very soon now.
All this made Janet uneasy, she knew not why. She felt a little uneasy, too, about grandma, as Mrs. Rayburn had for years been called in the old Gatehouse, for she had never heard from her since they parted, though she had written to her. However, in the spring she had a letter from her.
"Kelmersdale Castle, near Rugeley.
"MY DEAR JANET,
"I am afraid you are thinking me very unkind, getting letters from you and never writing to you; but you will understand how this happened, when I tell you how I have been knocked about. I am glad you have found work that suits you, but, in your place, I would have gone after Fred at once. I love him like a mother, but, after what happened, I think him weak, and I hardly expect now that you will ever get out to him. You ought to have left the children in England and gone after Fred. No risk in leaving them for a time; any one would be kind to those darlings. But I suppose it is too late now, as you parted with the money.
"As for me, a letter from my lord came the day after you went away, offering me my choice of two situations, matron of a big orphanage near Stafford, or housekeeper at Kelmersdale Castle. The matronship was the best pay, so I took it. But, my health being so feeble, I found the work too much, and after my little darlings, Frank and Fred, the children seemed a dreadful lot, and after a few weeks, I wrote to my lord to say my health would not stand it, and that if the other place was still open, I would prefer it. I am thankful to say my lord had not been able to suit himself, so I came to the Castle, and I just wish I had the dear boys here, with such places to play about, and every comfort.
"The place is very old, and was once besieged. I am learning all the history off by heart, for many a shilling can be got by showing visitors over the Castle in summer. My lord never lives here long, but comes on business or for the shooting. The living rooms are small, with thick walls and little windows high up. My rooms are very comfortable, and I have servants under me, and am to see all kept in order; the armour, and old pictures and furniture. But, except just when the earl is here, I have little to do but to amuse myself like any grand lady. The salary is small, or I should send you a present, as well I might after all your kindness to me, which I can never forget. I hope the darling boys have not forgotten grandma. I seem to hear Frank calling me, dear little rogue. Some day you must all come and pay me a visit; I know my lord will give leave.
"You say the boys go to school, but in the summer holidays they might be glad of a change. But take my advice and get after Fred as soon as you can; don't lose your hold over him, it will be the ruin of him.
"Ever your affectionate mother,
"LYDIA RAYBURN."