“What did you advertise for?”
“For the situation of private governess in a family, or assistant teacher in a school, or translator, or copyist, or as companion for an invalid lady or an elderly lady, or as amanuensis to a literary lady. For all these situations I have advertised at various times, and have received not one reply.”
“Ah, dearie me! Every road to business is so overcrowded! But you said you answered some of the advertisements of such places as you would like to take.”
“Yes, but no notice was taken of any of my letters.”
“Ah, you see, child, I suppose there were hundreds of applications for every place, and they couldn’t answer all the applicants.”
“No, I suppose not,” said Lilith, patiently.
“And it costs so much to advertise,” sighed Mrs. Downie.
“Yes,” said Lilith. “And so I have given up advertising on my own account, and I only answer the advertisements of others. That does not cost so much; only the paper and postage stamp.”
“Well, dear, I hope you will succeed at last,” said the old lady.
“Yes. ‘It is a long lane that has no turning,’ as our homely proverb has it,” said Lilith.