“Precisely my own views. To commence an establishment that would drain off the superfluous labour, and relieve the oppressed, raising the whole tone of female employment.”
“And this is the project you meant?”
“And in which, for the first time, I begin to hope for success, if it can only receive the patronage of some person of influence.”
“Oh, anything I can do!” exclaimed Rachel, infinitely rejoiced. “It is the very thing I have been longing for for years. What, you would form a sort of industrial school, where the children could be taught some remunerative labour, and it might soon be almost self-supporting?”
“Exactly; the first establishment is the difficulty, for which I have been endeavouring to put a few mites together.”
“Every one would subscribe for such a purpose!” exclaimed Rachel.
“You speak from your own generous nature, Miss Curtis; but the world would require patronesses to recommend.”
“There could be no difficulty about that!” exclaimed Rachel; but at this moment she saw the Myrtlewood pony carriage coming to the door, and remembering that she had undertaken to drive out Ermine Williams in it, she was obliged to break off the conversation, with an eager entreaty that Mr. Mauleverer would draw up an account of his plan, and bring it to her the next day, when she would give her opinion on it, and consider of the means.
“My dear,” said her mother, on her return, “how long you have been; and what am I to give for the water-colour?”
“Oh, I forgot all about the water-colour; but never mind what we give, mamma, it is all to go to an asylum for educating poor girls, and giving them some resource beyond that weary lace-making—the very thing I have always longed for. He is coming to settle it all with me to-morrow, and then we will arrange what to give.”