"Don't you draw and paint finely? I have heard that you did."
"Yes; but what good will it do me now, I should like to know?" She twirled her little plump, jeweled fingers indolently.
"It might do you a great deal of good, if you chose. You might support yourself by giving lessons," said Beulah decisively.
She drew up her shoulders, frowned, and pouted without making any answer.
"Claudy, you do not wish to be dependent on a man who dislikes you?"
"Not if I can help myself!"
"And you certainly do not wish to be the means of preventing Mrs.
Grayson from having a comfortable home with her brother?"
Claudia burst into tears. She did not love her mother, did not even respect her, she was so very weak and childish; yet the young orphan felt very desolate, and knew not what to do. Beulah took her hand, and said kindly:
"If you are willing to help yourself, dear Claudy, I will gladly do all I can to assist you. I think I can secure you a situation as teacher of drawing, and, until you can make something at it, I will pay your board; and you shall stay with me, if you like. You can think about it, and let me know as soon as you decide." Claudia thanked her cordially, and, returning home, Beulah immediately imparted the plan to her friends. They thought it would scarcely succeed, Claudia had been so petted and spoiled. Beulah sat gazing into the fire for a while; then, looking at the doctor, said abruptly:
"There is that Graham money, sir, doing nobody any good."